A Syllogism for 21st Century Center City Philadelphia

Abstract

Arts and culture are major drivers of Philadelphia’s economy.

Senior citizens are major supporters of arts and culture.

Therefore, increasing the involvement of Philadelphia’s senior citizens in arts and culture strengthens the city’s economy and improves the health of arts and cultural organizations.

What are the ramifications of this synergy for arts and cultural organizations and for Philadelphia’s economic and social policy leaders?

Philadelphia’s older people have a frame of reference for arts and culture. They grew up in a world where the arts were part of all school curricula. As children, they heard classical music in stores, elevators and schools. They experienced the magic of jazz, musical comedy and the great American songbook. They were taught to respect the creativity and talents of artists, dancers and writers, and to savor the joy of sharing this creativity in real-time. Sitting quietly and watching a performance is natural to them both as a learned experience and as a function of their physical capacity and emotional needs. When they think of experiencing arts and culture, they think of theatres and museums rather than YouTube. These characteristics speak to the importance and value of seniors to arts and cultural institutions.

Senior citizens contribute to the arts and culture environment in three specific ways. First, they are patrons of the arts and of cultural institutions. They represent a large percentage of the musical and theatrical audiences in Philadelphia. Second, they volunteer for causes and organizations in which they believe. They are docents at museums, ushers at theatres, and teachers in many cultural venues. Finally, they are financial contributors to institutions and groups that are part of their lives and that provide meaning to them. They recognize the importance of giving back to their communities and of cultural components of communities, and they do it.