Columbus, Ohio – The Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC) today announced it has joined Arts & Economic Prosperity IV™. The research study, which is being conducted by Americans for the Arts, America’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts, will evaluate the impact spending by nonprofit arts organizations and their audiences have on their local economies.
As one of 200 study partners across all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, GCAC will facilitate the gathering of detailed economic and event attendance data from nonprofit arts and culture organizations located throughout Columbus using data from the Cultural Data Project (CDP). In addition, GCAC will collaborate with the community’s other arts organizations to collect surveys from arts and culture event attendees in Columbus during 2011. The study’s findings will be released in spring 2012.
“Our arts and cultural organizations add greatly to the quality of life and attractiveness of our community,” said Milton D. Baughman, President of GCAC. “With this important study we can measure and underscore the economic impact made by our nonprofit organizations and their audiences in our economy. We are grateful to all the organizations that are participating in the study—without their support this important data could not be accumulated.”
Participating organizations in Columbus include:
The Asian Festival, Ballet Met, CAPA, CATCO, Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus, City Music Columbus, Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus Children’s Choir, Columbus Children’s Theatre, Columbus Symphony, COSI, Film Council of Greater Columbus, Franklin Park Conservatory, Friends of Early Music, Alkebulan/Juneteenth Ohio, Jazz Arts Group, King Arts Complex, Ohio Art League, Pro Musica, WaterFire Columbus, ROY G BIV Gallery for Emerging Artists, Senior Repertory Theater of Ohio, Six String Concerts, Thurber House, Wexner Center for the Arts.
Arts & Economic Prosperity IV will enable an evaluation of the impact of the recession on the employment and government revenues that are generated by the nonprofit arts industry.
AFTA expects that the findings will demonstrate that the arts remain a formidable industry in spite of the country’s recent economic challenges. The survey will look at the impact of spending by nonprofit arts and culture organizations and their audiences on the economy in Columbus. Specifically, the study’s results will include:
• The total dollars spent by Columbus’ nonprofit arts and culture organizations.
• The total dollars spent by audiences as a direct result of their attendance at arts and culture events in Columbus.
• The number of full-time equivalent jobs supported by arts spending.
• The amount of resident, household income—including salaries and wages—generated by arts spending.
• The amount of local and state government tax revenues generated by arts spending.
According to Americans for the Arts most recent national study, the national nonprofit arts industry generated 5.7 million jobs and $166.2 billion in total economic activity during 2005, resulting in $29.6 billion in federal, state and local government revenues. The $166.2 billion total included $63.1 billion in spending by arts organizations and $103.1 billion in event-related spending by their audiences on items such as meals, local transportation and overnight lodging.
For Columbus that meant more than $333 million in economic impact from nonprofit arts and cultural institutions in 2005. Complete details about the 2005 study are available atwww.AmericansForTheArts.org/EconomicImpact.
“Our Arts & Economic Prosperity studies demonstrate that the arts are a formidable industry that stimulates the economy in cities and towns across the country,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “A vibrant arts and culture industry helps local businesses thrive. Still, much has changed since our last study as a result of the economic downturn. Arts & Economic Prosperity IV will allow us to evaluate the impact the recession has had on employment and government revenues that are generated by the nonprofit arts industry.”
Americans for the Arts’ Arts & Economic Prosperity IV study is supported by The Ruth Lilly Fund of Americans for the Arts. In addition, Americans for the Arts’ local and statewide project partners are contributing both time and financial support to the study.
About the Greater Columbus Arts Council: Through vision and leadership, advocacy and collaboration, the Greater Columbus Arts Council supports art and advances the culture of the region. A catalyst for excellence and innovation, GCAC funds exemplary artists and arts organizations and provides programs, events and services of public value that educate and engage all audiences in our community. GCAC thanks the City of Columbus, Franklin County and the Ohio Arts Council for their continued support.
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CONTACT: Jami Goldstein
(614) 221-8492
jgoldstein@gcac.org
