Arts has major economic impact, study says
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- June
- 27
Spending on the arts more than doubled in Westchester County over 10 years, creating an economic ripple effect that included new jobs, increased tourism and surging tax revenues.
Those are among the findings of a new study released today by the Westchester Arts Council.
The study found that overall arts spending in Westchester totaled nearly $119.9 million in 2005, up from $92.8 million in 2000 and $54.2 million in 1995.
“The numbers show a 121 percent increase in arts spending over a 10-year period,� said Janet T. Langsam, chief executive officer of the Westchester Arts Council. “This is a clear benefit to the local economy, and has tracked closely with job growth in the arts.�The report found that Westchester’s nonprofit arts organizations supported 3,779 jobs in 2005, more than double the number 10 years earlier. The arts also generated $17.6 million in local and state government tax revenues.
“What this study shows is that each dollar we put towards the arts pumps $20 back into the local economy – truly a sound investment,â€? County Executive Andrew Spano said.
The local data was based on a survey by the arts council of 101 local arts organizations. The Westchester information was part of a national survey of 6,080 arts organizations. A national report, called Arts & Economic Prosperity III, was released by Americans for the Arts, a nonprofit organization based in Washington.
One of the arts’ biggest economic contributions is tourism, including increased spending at hotels, stores and restaurants. In Westchester, the study reported $47.9 million in event-related spending by arts audiences in 2005.
That worked out to an average expenditure of $24.10 per person for hotels, restaurants, parking, souvenirs, refreshments or other items. Tourists spent nearly twice as much as local attendees.
Nationally, the nonprofit arts industry creates $5.7 million jobs and $166.2 billion in total economic activity, resulting in $29.6 billion in federal, state and local government revenues.
The study was released at a press conference that was followed by a ceremony in which the Westchester Arts Council distributed $946,825 to 38 Westchester-based arts and cultural organizations.
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, June 27th, 2007 at 6:09 pm by Jay Loomis.
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