Study: Nonprofits, arts, culture have major impact
11/03/2009
from staff
The Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville announced last week the results of an economic impact study of the nonprofit arts industry in Duval County. These local results were compiled as part of a comprehensive national economic impact study of the nonprofit arts and culture industry. 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 Jacksonville. The Cultural Council helped to facilitate the gathering of the detailed economic data from 43 local arts organizations that were among 6,080 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 Jacksonville’s nonprofit arts industry generates $184.7 million in economic activity annually, including:
• 2,399 full-time equivalent jobs
• 52.9 million in resident household income
• $2 million in local government tax revenues
• $2.9 million in state government tax revenues
“By any measure these numbers are impressive,” said Robert Arleigh White, executive director for the Cultural Council. “While we have conducted this research for many years locally, it was important for Jacksonville to be measured as part of this national effort. Taken as a whole, it certainly demonstrates a strong return on investment made by communities across the country.”
The $184.7 million total includes $67.7 million in spending by Duval County arts organizations and $117 million in event-related spending by patrons attending events in Jacksonville, excluding the cost of admission. The $117 million in event-related spending by arts audiences reflects an average of $26 per person in spending for hotels, restaurants, parking, souvenirs, refreshments, or other similar costs — with non-local attendees spending more than $35 per person, excluding the price of tickets.
According to the Americans for the Arts report, the nonprofit arts industry generates 5.7 million jobs nationally and $166.2 billion in total economic activity in the United States every year, resulting in $29.6 billion in federal, state, and local government revenues. The $166.2 billion total includes $63.1 billion in spending by arts organizations and $103.1 billion in event-related spending by their audiences.
“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 employment for more than just artists, curators, and musicians but they also directly support an array of occupations including builders, plumbers, accountants, and printers.
The full text of the report and the economic impact of the arts for each of the 116 city and county participants are available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org/Econ....
