Arts and Economic Prosperity III for Jefferson County
The Nonprofit Arts Industry is a Formidable Business and Economic Driver for Jefferson County.
Data on Jefferson County’s non-profit arts industry were compiled as part of the most comprehensive economic impact study of the nonprofit arts and culture industry ever conducted in the United States. Entitled Arts & Economic Prosperity III, the study was conducted in 156 communities and regions (116 cities and counties, 35 multi-county regions, and 5 states) including Jefferson County. The Cultural Alliance helped to facilitate the gathering of the detailed economic data from 48 arts organizations that were among 6,080 local arts organizations surveyed nationwide. Americans for the Arts, which conducted the national study, is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America.
The local data reveals that Jefferson County’s nonprofit arts industry generates $125,447,837 in economic activity annually, including:
- 3,641 full-time equivalent jobs
- $74,130,00 in resident household income
- $4,161,000 in local government tax revenues
- $4,737,000 in state government tax revenues
The $125,447,837 total includes $61,454,822 in spending by arts organizations and $63,993,015 in event-related spending by arts audiences, excluding the cost of admission. The $63,993,015 in event-related spending by arts audiences reflects an average of $23.47 per person in spending for hotels, restaurants, parking, souvenirs, refreshments, or other similar costs-with non-local attendees spending three times as much as local attendees ($41.52 compared to $13.65).
“This study is a myth buster,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “Most Americans understand that the arts improve our quality of life. This study demonstrates that the arts are an industry that stimulates the economy in cities and towns across the country. A vibrant arts and culture industry helps local businesses thrive.”
The Arts & Economic Prosperity III study shows that nonprofits arts support more jobs than accountants and auditors, public safety officers, and even lawyers, and just slightly fewer than elementary school teachers. Spending by nonprofit arts and culture organizations provide rewarding employment for more than just artists, curators, and musicians but they also directly support builders, plumbers, accountants, printers, and an array of occupations.
In addition, the study reveals that the nonprofit arts industry is the cornerstone of tourism. The $103.1 billion in event-related spending by arts audiences reflects an average of $27.79 per person in spending for hotels, restaurants, parking, souvenirs, refreshments, or other similar costs-with non-local attendees spending twice as much as local attendees ($40.19 vs. $19.53). When a community attracts cultural tourists, it harnesses significant economic rewards.
Download the Jefferson County report (PDF - 1.4MB).
The full text of the report is available at Americans For The Arts.