Another example of the arts positively impacting business is the growing recognition among manufacturers of the value of industrial design and design thinking. To help advance design as an asset for improving manufactured products and processes, the National Endowment for the Arts has published Industrial Design: A Competitive Edge for U.S. Manufacturing Success in the Global Economy. In addition, new findings from the Arts and Cultural Production Satellite Account, a partnership of the NEA and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), include industrial design employment and compensation by state.
About the National Endowment for the Arts
Established by Congress in 1965, the NEA is the independent federal agency whose funding and support gives Americans the opportunity to participate in the arts, exercise their imaginations, and develop their creative capacities. Through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector, the NEA supports arts learning, affirms and celebrates America’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, and extends its work to promote equal access to the arts in every community across America. Please visit arts.gov.
From tradition to transformation Sequoia Brass & Copper has stood for excellence in American manufacturing. In this episode, we sit down with Kim MacFarlane, President of Sequoia Brass & Copper, to hear the inspiring story of a family-owned company founded by her father, built on craftsmanship, trust, and a relentless commitment to quality. Kim shares how she’s guided the company through the challenges of modern industry while honoring its heritage, and how the next chapter will be carried forward by her son Kyle. This is more than a story of brass and copper; it’s about resilience, innovation, and the enduring strength of family legacy. If you’ve ever wondered how tradition can meet the demands of today’s industry hit play and be inspired.