Art feeds our soul, but without sales, that’s all it is feeding. In a tough economy, buying art is not at the top of anyone’s list. So what’s an artist to do?

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Marc Willson was keynote speaker at “The Business of Art” event held Feb. 8. Willson is a consultant for the Small Town and Merchant Program and shared his 35 years of experience with attendees.

ArtsPartners of Central Illinois and Bradley University stepped in with some assistance for artists. On Feb. 8 they held “The Business of Art” workshop featuring Marc Willson, a nationally recognized small business consultant; experts in small business from Bradley; and a successful small business owner. The goal of the day was to connect entrepreneurial artists with business professionals who could help them navigate the world of business. Rebecca Draland-Doyle, current artist in residence at the Prairie Center of the Arts, said her reaction to the workshop was positive. “Interestingly, I learned a better way to organize my studio to be more welcoming plus some good points for online marketing,” she said. Other artists echoed her positive response.

The artists are not the only part of the equation, though. As a community, we all need to care about the state of our creative workforce. Why? Ever since Caterpillar announced its layoffs, talk has focused on what we might do without our largest employer. In a community that has relied on a company for jobs, we now need to consider making our own jobs.

Creative placemaking is the key to our city’s future health. Creative placemaking, according to the National Endowment of the Arts, is the practice of partners in public, private, nonprofit and community sectors shaping the physical and social character of a city around arts and cultural activities. In turn, creative entrepreneurs and industries generate jobs and incomes.

In today’s mass produced world, creative expression is more and more valued. Tourists pick places that are individual, not cookie-cutter versions of the last city they just passed on the superhighway. Young professionals are choosing to move to cities that are vibrant and have a strong local arts scene.

That’s what Des Moines, Iowa, realized and over the past 15 years has turned itself into one of the most vibrant and richest cities in the country. They did it through the arts—galleries, theaters, live music—and unique restaurants. Des Moines did it because city and business leaders realized they needed to be bold.

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Nearly 150 attendees paid to participate in “The Business of Art,” a seminar offered by ArtsPartners of Central Illinois and Bradley University to enhance artists’ business skills.

Des Moines is not the only city building its economic health through the arts. The conservative city of Mesa, Ariz., is investing $14 million in affordable housing for struggling artists. There is good economic sense behind Mesa’s decision besides opening underutilized real estate. Studies have proven that artists change communities and have a positive financial impact. The presence of artists draws more artists who in turn attract outsiders to areas, and that brings restaurants and coffee shops and bars and small businesses.

Draland-Doyle would like to see the same thing happening in Peoria. She said, “There should be a real effort to make the Peoria area a tourist destination. I see our area artists and venues as being an important linchpin in that kind of endeavor.” She pointed out, too, that many of Peoria’s millennials are artists, and “the millennials are our future.”

What are the next steps for Peoria? Collaboration and an innovative willingness to say yes to ideas. We need to take action on change rather than grumble over factors out of our control. Muscles have to flex and brains have to get creative to find new solutions. Then we can move forward to a future that learns from the lessons of our history and rejoices in the creative spirit that has always been waiting in the wings.