from staff
A study by the Northeast Florida Center for Community Initiatives at the University of North Florida found that in 2007, Jacksonville’s nonprofit arts and culture industry contributed more than $105.6 million to the local economy. The research study was commissioned by the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville and measured the economic contributions of 38 nonprofit arts and cultural organizations in Duval County.
The report summarizes data from a wide variety of cultural organizations representing music, dance, visual arts, theater, history, and arts education. The groups reported total expenditures of over $54.5 million, primarily in the areas of personnel, rent, advertising, and artistic fees. Using a multiplier developed by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the economic impact of the arts and culture industry was determined to be more than $105.6 million.
In 2007, the arts in Jacksonville supported 477 full-time jobs, 444 part-time jobs, and 511 independent contract positions. Additionally, the industry was assisted by more than 11,177 community volunteers who donated 201,000 hours.
Surveyed organizations reported admissions of 1.48 million to nonprofit cultural events and facilities, which exceeds the number of attendees at Jacksonville Jaguars and Jacksonville Suns games combined.
“If jobs and expenditures were the sole measurements of our work, we would have a compelling story to tell,” said Robert Arleigh White, executive director of the Cultural Council. “But the importance of arts and culture are not fully measured in those terms. Tourism, Downtown revitalization, educational enhancements, and the retention of a high-wage workforce are important assets offered by our cultural partners to the people of Jacksonville – not to mention what they provide in entertainment, enjoyment and enrichment.”
Jeffry Will, Ph.D., director of the Northeast Florida Center for Community Initiatives, said attendance has been the key to the growth of the arts.
“We began compiling data on the nonprofit arts industry in 2001 when the reported economic impact was $76 million,” said Will. “Through the years, the industry has grown in expenditures and the number of jobs. Attendance is robust, demonstrating that the arts serve as an essential local activity. Clearly, the arts provide a strong return on the public dollar.”