Q: How important is Arts & Culture in your economic development plans?
Wendy Bridges, AZED Pro
Economic Development Director
City of Goodyear Economic Development
Sector: Municipal Government
Arts and culture are essential to economic development plans, shaping a community’s identity and enhancing its appeal to residents, visitors and businesses. Investment in arts — whether through festivals, public art or performing arts — yields significant returns.
From my experience in a community rich in artistic focus and active festivals, I’ve seen firsthand how effective this strategy can be. A well-organized weekend art festival leaves a lasting impression on visitors, often inspiring them to envision a future in that community. Many business owners I’ve met initially came for an art event and later fell in love with our city.
Even subtle art installations convey pride and care, transforming “nice” spaces into unique, inviting places. Public art elevates ordinary areas, encouraging people to linger and enjoy their surroundings. Performing arts communicate a city’s cultural values in ways that words cannot, fostering connection through shared experiences like concerts, ballets and plays. Ultimately, arts and culture are vital not just for economic growth, but for enriching the quality of life within the community.
Wendy Bridges, AZED Pro, brings nearly 30 years of experience in county and municipal government across Arizona. Recognized as Economic Developer of the Year by AAED, she led
Goodyear’s team to multiple awards, including 2024 Organization of the Year. An active community leader, she serves on several boards, including Greater Maricopa Foreign Trade Zone, and has served in leadership roles within AAED. Bridges holds a B.A. in Public Administration from Northern Arizona University.
Dan Henderson, CEcD, MEDP
Director, Office of Economic Development
Town of Gilbert Office of Economic Development
Sector: Municipal Government
Gilbert’s leadership, along with our current and past Councils, have always recognized the role that art and culture plays in our community. From brightening the visitor experience in our Heritage District to incorporating public art standards in our development plans, Gilbert boasts a colorful palette of cultural nods and stunning visuals throughout our town.
We strive to enhance spaces using arts as a tool in community development. Through our redevelopment and tourism lines of service, Gilbert’s Office of Economic Development has invested in seasonal public art installations, added to our public art and mural collection, and hosted artistic experiences centered on public engagement. We use these efforts to tell a richer and stronger origin story and often use art to highlight Gilbert’s agrarian past. This is most evident in Gilbert’s downtown, where our partnerships with local artists are on display in unexpected places such as the doorways to our parking garages, on our utility boxes, and design elements are even stamped into our concrete sidewalks. Our newest initiative merging culture and connection will be on display soon as part of the Heritage District wayfinding and place marketing project. Gilbert’s continued investment in these beautification efforts will be recognized at the 28th Annual Gilbert Community Excellence Awards held on November 13.
Town of Gilbert Office of Economic Development Director Dan Henderson has dedicated his decades-long career to supporting the growth of businesses and communities across Arizona. Since Henderson joined the Town of Gilbert in 2007, he and his team have focused exclusively on business attraction, retention and expansion. Under his leadership, the scope of work includes economic development, redevelopment and tourism, vital economic pillars that impact the long-term prosperity and resiliency of the community.
Kim Moyers
Cultural Development Director
City of Chandler Economic Development
Sector: Municipal Government
Arts and culture play an important role in Chandler’s economic vitality. It improves the image and identity of our community, inspires a sense of pride, enhances quality of life and serves as a destination driver for visitors.
Last year, Chandler Center for the Arts and Americans for the Arts completed its first Arts and Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) Impact Study providing compelling evidence that the nonprofit arts and culture sector is a significant industry in Chandler, generating $12.1 million in total economic activity during 2022. This spending — $4.7 million by arts organizations and $7.3 million in event-related spending by their audiences — supports 194 jobs, generates $8.2 million in local household income and delivers $2.4 million in tax revenues.
Our vibrant arts and culture community keeps local residents — and their discretionary dollars — in Chandler. Event attendee expenses, such as dining out, transportation and childcare, average $36 per person for locals and nearly $60 for visitors.
The City of Chandler strives to offer diverse programming, free and low-cost arts opportunities and family entertainment that represents our community.
Kim Moyers has been with the City of Chandler for 10 years and is currently the cultural development director, overseeing the Chandler Center for the Arts, Vision Gallery, Chandler Museum, Special Events and Downtown Redevelopment for the past five years. With almost 30 years of experience in downtown development and redevelopment, Moyers’ passion is creating spaces where people can live, work and play, fostering cultural enrichment and economic growth within the community.
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