Barker: One Columbia is helping create culturally dynamic city

I was shocked and dismayed by the objections raised by Columbia City Councilman Howard Duvall (and Mo Baddourah) to funding One Columbia with hospitality tax revenue. Duvall knows how to read an audit, but he does not understand his economics.

The arts play a central role in attracting visitors to Columbia. Creating a culturally dynamic city that people want to visit requires a coordinated effort.

The question is not whether One Columbia has been successful; it has been. The Deckle Edge Literary Festival, Indie Grits, Hip Hop Family Day, One Book, One Community, the city poet laureate and new pieces of public art are just a few examples.

The controversy concerns what constitutes allowable spending on advertisements and promotions since One Columbia does not fund specific events but serves as a clearinghouse for coordinating, promoting and advertising events offered by more than 300 arts groups.

This requires, at the very least, a director, an office (preferably with electricity) and a way of bringing together the many volunteers. This logic was clearly spelled out in the opinion written by the city attorney and supported by the city’s general manager. I cannot see the necessity in spending additional money and time to draft yet another opinion when there have been no hints of impropriety.

Spending on the arts is an important investment in our city because attracting cultural tourists harnesses significant economic rewards. According to a study done by Americans for the Arts, the average arts attendee spends $25 per event in addition to the cost of admission. When communities fail to provide a variety of artistic and cultural experiences, they will not attract cultural tourists, and they will also lose discretionary spending by local residents traveling elsewhere for an arts experience. Is this what we want for Columbia?

If Duvall is successful in his efforts to fund One Columbia only partially, he will spell the end of it. The damage to the arts will reduce the tax dollars flowing into the city from visitors. Spending on One Columbia is an investment in our city. It is not a labor of love.

This story was originally published April 12, 2016 at 1:54 PM with the headline "Barker: One Columbia is helping create culturally dynamic city."