In episode 172, Garrett Greco sits down with Michele Smith to break down how arts, culture, and creative infrastructure directly impact economic growth, real estate development, and the long-term identity of cities like Tampa.
Michele Smith is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Tampa Arts Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening Tampa’s creative economy and positioning the region as a nationally and internationally recognized arts city. She leads cross-sector partnerships between artists, developers, government, and private industry to build sustainable cultural infrastructure, expand access to markets, and elevate creativity as a driver of economic and community development.
He explains:
◼️ Why cities that invest in the arts attract stronger talent, businesses, and long-term growth
◼️ How creative infrastructure increases walkability, property value, and economic resilience
◼️ What role developers and small property owners can play in supporting the arts
◼️ Why authentic cultural identity matters more than copying other major cities
◼️ How Tampa is building the foundation to become a nationally recognized arts destination
0:00:00 - Introduction
0:00:57 - Downtown Arts Center
0:04:04 - Tampa Arts Alliance
0:09:55 - Arts in Development
0:14:25 - Tampa Arts Education
0:17:29 - Affordable Housing for Artists
0:25:37 - Zero Empty Spaces
0:36:59 - Gasparilla
0:49:43 - Art for Small Developers
0:54:45 - Tampa Public Art
0:07:21 - Roundabout Art