Cleveland Business Connects
Creative Economy, May 2007

“In 2002, artist Susie Frazier Mueller founded Sparx in the City, a series of events aimed at drawing attention to local artists and Downtown Cleveland. In a short time, the experimental project evolved into a model program that attracted the general public to areas of downtown dense with retailers and restaurants.”

“According to figures provided by TeamNEO and Cypress Research Group, Sparx has been accomplishing its mission:

• Attendance at the 2006 Sparx Gallery Hop increased by 22% for a total of 33,000;10,500 of those total visitors were from outside of Cuyahoga County.
• Total expenses for the 2006 hop were $124,377 with a return on investment ration of 29:1.
• The 2006 Sparx Gallery Hop generated $1,105,300 in disposable personal income for City of Cleveland residents and commuters, yielding $22,106 tax revenues back to the city…
• Spending by out-of-towners generated about $3 million for the City of Cleveland…”

“The Sparx model is a template for a healthy balance between supporting the arts and growing the greater economy,” says Josh Taylor, public relations manager for the Downtown Cleveland Alliance.