I think the most important thing a city can do for the arts, perhaps even more important than giving cold, hard cash, is to provide space. Increasingly, real estate is very hard to come by, and this is doubly true for areas that are easily accessible to a large cross section of a community’s population.

Space, for any of the arts, is a vital part of the “event” of participation. This is especially true for the performing arts. In the theater, civic pride and a sense of community are engendered when people gather and share the intense experience of visceral storytelling. Shared experience builds bonds and leads people to “we” instead of “I.” If the city provides that space and helps to make it accessible to diverse citizens, then not only do people actively participate in the community-building spirit of the arts, but the gratitude and sense of belonging that comes from the communal experience is transferred to the city.

“We are so lucky to live here,” and “I love this town,” translate into a lot of measurable benefits for a community, from citizens who want to be active in government to lower crime rates. When cities choose to give the arts a place, it signals to its citizens that their quality of life is important, and that cities are not just places we gather for survival, but where we come together to celebrate the shared human experience.

What can a city do to bolster the arts? Simply put, nothing at all. And I don’t mean a city is incapable of having an impact. Rather, cities can do their part by being less obstructive and letting artistic environments grow naturally. Artists who love their craft will always find ways to share it. Whether it’s hosting an art show in some industrial building or packing a living room for a hardcore show, artists find a way. But often these efforts are stifled due to local governments’ concerns.

I come from a DIY background, which means there’s no money and very few connections to non-underground support for the art I create and events I organize. Paying for permits is an impossibility. Eliminating permitting and other roadblocks by providing exemptions for arts events can go a long way toward fostering a music and arts scene.

I respect that a neighbor doesn’t want metal music blaring next door at 2 a.m. But there should be a happy medium where artists can express themselves without breaking some unknown zoning rule. Regulations are in place to protect the public well-being, but if it’s at the expense of a community coming into its own, is it helping? Sometimes, if a city wants to improve civic life, it needs to learn to be OK with breaking some rules.

In order to develop an art-conscious community, a city can act as a catalyst to connect art and business. The best way to do this is for the city to facilitate the establishment of an organization that helps put together a list of available facilities and venues for different kinds of art forms, lists of arts and artists, and available art services.

Such an organization could take the form of a member-based arts co-op. Local business, schools, and individuals can become members in order to share facilities, talents, and resources. Businesses that participate in this arts co-op could give members discounts on their services and products in exchange for brand recognition and loyal customer support. Schools and community centers that have space can give special rates or free rentals in exchange for skills workshops and free performances. Restaurants and pubs can hold community arts events that attract more partners. These sorts of collaborations are often happening communities already, but a centralized arts co-op with social networking support (such as a dedicated Facebook group) can help artists and community members easily identify one another in order to form collaborative relationships more readily and easily.

It is sometimes hard to assist with cash, but a formalized barter system and centralized union may help artists and the community to connect with each other and help the arts thrive in the community.