A recent article regarding CT's Arts & Economic Prosperity Report:
Aha! YOU did this…
The actual statistical results are now available to prove that if you donated to any nonprofit arts or cultural organization in Connecticut, you can be confident that your contribution had a much larger impact than you probably imagined. The Arts & Economic Prosperity report, an in depth research study conducted by American for the Arts, shows that Connecticut’s nonprofit arts and culture industry annually:
• Generates $653 million in total economic activity
• Supports 18,314 full-time equivalent local jobs
• Generates $462.5 million in local household income to residents
• Delivers $59.1 million in local and state government revenue
These impressive numbers are actually understated due to less-than-a-100 percent response rate from Connecticut’s arts and culture organizations (329 out of approximately 1,138 in CT responded).
What makes this industry’s economic impact different from others? Unlike most other sectors, the arts and culture industry activates large amounts of related spending by their audiences. Nonprofit arts and culture event attendees spend an average of $23.10 per person, excluding the cost of admission. The report estimates that of Connecticut’s 9.2 million nonprofit arts attendees, 88.5 % were residents and 11.5% were non-residents. The cultural sector attracts out-of-state visitors to Connecticut. In fact, 66.9 percent of all non-residents survey respondents claimed that the major motive for their trip was ‘specifically to attend this arts/cultural event.” These visitors spend an average of 65% more than local attendees ($35.39 vs. $21.50) as a consequence of their attending cultural events.
Of the $653 million in economic activity, arts and culture organizations spend $455.5 million annually and leverage $197.5 million in additional spending by arts and culture audiences – spending that pumps vital revenue into local restaurants, hotels and inns, retail stores, gas stations, parking garages and other businesses. Supporting arts and culture clearly has a strong return on investment.
The Arts & Economic Prosperity report dismisses the common misconception that financial support of arts and culture is a burden to local communities. In fact, communities are investing in an industry that supports jobs, generates government revenue and is a cornerstone of tourism. The arts mean business!
So, kudos to YOU for supporting the cultural sector so that it can, in turn support our communities.
More Advocacy Avenues:
Americans for the Arts is the nation's leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. With more than 40 years of service, it is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts.
Americans for the Arts has a great tool that allows you to VERY efficiently and quickly communicate to Congress about supporting the arts and arts education. It's a great way to GET INVOLVED.
You can sign up for the OUR EMAILS and click the ADVOCACY selection. This way you can be kept in the loop regarding state and local issues. Just go to our Contact Us page to Join Our Email list.
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