And although the cold hard stats to support that statement don't necessarily exist, it's safe to say that this city is pretty darned artistic. Somerville is well above the national census of 1.4 percent of the U.S. population, with 4.9 percent of residents claiming they work in a creative occupation.

The city in 2005 and 2007-via the Somerville Arts Council-urged those who work in a creative profession to identify themselves by checking off their occupation in the Somerville census.

In 2005, of the 53,298 residents who returned the census form, 1,759 (or approximately 3.3%) were involved in the creative sector. In 2007, of the 52,243 residents who filled the census form, 2,563 identified themselves as artists, or 4.9% of the population.

"What is interesting to me is that the number is going up," said Greg Jenkins, executive director of the Somerville Arts Council. "It could be due to more people moving in, or more utilizing the census to self select. Of note, however, is that this also coincides with all of the cultural economic development work we are doing in Union Square."

A study of census data released in June 2008 by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) found that nearly 2 million people earn a living as artists, compared with 1.7 million who listed artist as an occupation in 1990.

Artists now represent 1.4 percent of the U.S. labor force, according to the NEA. In 2000 the census counted 1.93 million working artists. Follow-up studies from 2003 to 2005 raised that number to 1.99 million.

In Somerville, the highest numbered categories that people selected were artists and "related workers" (263), writers and authors (246), editors (240), architects (excluding landscape and naval) (220), graphic designers (212) and musicians and singers (206). Visit the Somerville Arts Council Web site as www.somervilleartscouncil.org to read the report.

The city of Somerville has for many years enjoyed the reputation of being a haven for artists. It's a livable city, comprised of neighborhoods that have been affordable for a long time. For example, twenty years ago, the Brickbottom Artists Building by the McGrath Highway was the largest live/work artists space in the country ever to be developed, noted Meri Jenkins, program director for the Adams Art Program for the Creative Economy at the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

"For that to happen, you must have the climate where artists are recognized as an important part of urban life," Meri Jenkins said, adding that this indeed rings true for Somerville. "You can see that in an area like Davis Square, where you see sculptures in the square and each year there are festivals."

Over the past couple years the cultural focus has shifted to Union Square, in an area of the city has long been overlooked. Programs are springing up across venues, that include street scape elements and public art (i.e, new benches, funky trash cans adorn the heart of the square).

"When you do things like that, you are asking residents to rethink where they live," Meri Jenkins said. "You are engaging people in art. There are elements of whimsy to it (the public art), but if you improve the climate, you improve the perception."

And does that change the way business can be done? Meri Jenkins believes so. It helps create a renewed interest in an area, and with that comes potential business development; new and creative sorts of business and retail.

What comes to mind are the Fluff Festival, which celebrated more publicity and excitement in its second year this past summer. The dancing under the McGrath Highway night (sponsored by ArtsUnion) was also a big hit. Both events brought people from other parts of the state.

"I remember Greg (Jenkins) talking to me about those events," Meri Jenkins said. "I had never thought of doing anything like that, where there are these unique events with an arts presence. It helps to improve the quality of life. It provides a bridge between different aspects of the city, which is an important role to play."

Nationwide, the number of artists more than doubled between 1970 and 1990, two decades that saw growth in museums, theaters, small symphonies and dance companies in many regions of the country, according to the NEA.

Artists and related workers – 263

Writers and authors – 246

Editors – 240

Architects (excluding landscape and naval) – 220

Graphic Designers – 212

Musicians and singers – 206

Designers, all others – 167

Painting, coating and decorating workers – 103

Media and Communications – 89

Photographers – 60

Producers and directors – 58

Public Relations Managers – 43

Advertising – 30

Interior designers – 29

Technical writers – 26

Dancers – 23

Actors – 21

Landscape architects – 18

Art directors – 18