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Economic Impact of the Arts

The arts are a vitally important economic industry, generating revenue, creating jobs and developing communities. Several resources below offer substantial research findings on the arts and economic development, from statewide economic impact studies to national reports.

State Study

Arts and Economic Prosperity III: The Economic Impact of Nonprofit Arts and Culture Organizations and Their Audiences in the State of Florida

Citizens for Florida Arts, Inc. is pleased to announce the release of "Arts and Economic Prosperity III: The Economic Impact of Nonprofit Arts and Culture Organizations and Their Audiences in the State of Florida." The report presents the findings of a new study measuring the economic impact of the nonprofit arts and culture industry in Florida. The statewide results were compiled as part of a comprehensive study by Americans for the Arts.

The statewide data reveals that Florida's nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $3.1 billion in economic activity in 2008, including:

  • 88,236 full time equivalent jobs
  • $2.057 billion in resident household income
  • $196 million in local government revenue
  • $249 million in state government revenue

**This document is available in an alternate format. To obtain a copy, or for more information about the Arts & Economic Prosperity III report, contact Jennifer Hoesing at jshoesing@dos.state.fl.us or call 850.245.6462.

Economic Impact of Non-Profit Arts and Cultural Organizations on the State Economy of Florida (2007) is an economic impact study by William B. Stronge, Ph.D. This study used 2007 data from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages to extrapolate from studies of seven counties already completed by the Americans for the Arts to the statewide totals. This study is sponsored in part by the Division of Cultural Affairs and members of the Florida Cultural Alliance.

Return on Investment: Florida's Cultural, Historical and Library Programs is an economic impact summary brochure published by the Florida Department of State in 2005 which highlights not only the economic impact of the arts but also the impact of our state's historic preservation and libraries.

Local Studies

The following local Florida communities have conducted their own economic impact studies of the arts:

Alachua County
http://www.gvlculturalaffairs.org/website/A&EProsperity_Booklet.pdf

Bay County
http://www.bayarts.org/

Brevard County
http://www.artsbrevard.org/docs/arts-as-economic-stimulus.html

Broward County
http://www.broward.org/arts/publications/afta_reports/afta_07_report.htm

Jacksonville (Duval County)
www.culturalcouncil.org/support/economic-impact/

Palm Beach County
https://www.trustedpartner.com/docs/library/000174/EconomicImpactReport2004.pdf

Pinellas County
http://www.pinellasarts.org/pdf/economic_pros_cty.pdf

Polk County
http://www.polkartsalliance.org/eis_2005_study.htm

Sarasota
http://www.sarasotaarts.org/advocacy-and-education/economic-impact-report/

Tampa Bay
http://www.tbbca.org/

National / regional Studies

New England Foundation for the Arts has a creative economy initiative that covers the New England States
http://www.nefa.org/

Arts & Economic Prosperity: The Economic Impact of Nonprofit Arts Organizations and Their Audiences, released in 2002, is the most comprehensive economic impact study of the nonprofit arts industry ever conducted. It is based on surveys of 3,000 nonprofit arts organizations and more than 40,000 attendees at arts events in 91 cities in 33 states, plus the District of Columbia. Several Florida communities are included in this report.

According to the report, America's nonprofit arts industry generates:

  • $134 billion in economic activity every year, including $24.4 billion in federal, state, and local tax revenues.
  • The $134 billion total includes $53.2 billion in spending by arts organizations and $80.8 billion in event-related spending by arts audiences.
  • The $53.2 billion represents a 45 percent increase (from $36.8 billion) since 1992.
  • The $80.8 billion in event-related spending by arts audiences reflects an average of $22.87 per person in spending for hotels, restaurants, parking, souvenirs, refreshments, or other similar costs-with non-local attendees spending nearly twice as much as local attendees ($38.05 compared to $21.75).
  • The $134 billion in total economic activity has a significant national impact, generating the following: 4.85 million full-time equivalent jobs.
  • $89.4 billion in household income.
  • $6.6 billion in local government tax revenues.
  • $7.3 billion in state government tax revenues.
  • $10.5 billion in federal income tax revenues.

The Cultural Policy & the Arts National Data Archive (CPANDA) is a new, interactive digital archive of data on the arts and cultural policy in the U.S., available for research and statistical analysis, with data on artists, arts and cultural organizations, audiences, and funding for arts and culture.

The Foundation Center and Grantmakers in the Arts recently released Arts Funding IV: An Update of Foundation Trends, the most up-to-date analysis available of foundation giving patterns for arts, culture, humanities, and media.  The study includes estimates of overall foundation funding for the arts and finds that grantmakers support decreased 3.5 percent to an estimated $4.05 billion in 2002, after peaking at an estimated $4.2 billion in 2001.  "Highlights" from this report can be viewed at www.fdncenter.org/research.  For more information about the report, call the Foundation Center at (212) 620-4230, email: lr@fdncenter.org at

Arts and Culture Study Paints a Picture of the Economic Impact of the Arts on our Region
http://unitedarts.cc/

Central Florida
http://www.orangecountyfl.net/

Promoting Film and Media to Enhance State Economic Development
http://www.nga.org/Files/pdf/0807PROMOTINGFILMMEDIA.PDF
National Governor's Association on the Economic Benefits of Film and Media

Additional Resources

Florida Cultural Alliance

National Assembly of State Arts Agencies

National Endowment for the Arts

The Role of the Arts in Economic Development
An issue brief published by the National Governor’s Association.

Cultural Initiatives Silicon Valley
A major research initiative to develop quantitative measures of cultural participation and creativity in the Silicon Valley region, in partnership with the City of San José Office of Cultural Affairs, Americans for the Arts and the Knight Foundation . The resulting publication of the Creative Community Index includes more than 30 indicators designed to gauge the health and vitality of cultural activities in our region and the importance of creativity to the vitality of Silicon Valley.

The Arts & Economic Prosperity Calculator is a free and simple tool that makes it possible for you to estimate the economic impact of your nonprofit arts organization.  Visit: http://www.artsusa.org/information_services/research/services/economic_impact/005.asp