Americans for the Arts and Arts Services Initiative of WNY report: Arts industry returns $40 million in revenue to local & state coffers
The nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $352.1 million in annual economic activity in Western New York — supporting 10,160 full-time-equivalent jobs and generating $40.3 million in local and state government revenues. So said the Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 national economic impact study.
The most comprehensive economic impact study of the nonprofit arts and culture industry ever conducted in the U.S., Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 was conducted by Americans for the Arts, the nation's leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education.
The Western New York report - encompassing Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany counties - was led by Arts Services Initiative of WNY. Data was collected from 126 nonprofit cultural organizations in the five counties, as well as 1,302 audience members. The full report is available at
www.asiwny.org/aep5.
Results show nonprofit arts and culture organizations spent $156 million during fiscal year 2015, and supported 4,705 full-time-equivalent jobs. This spending is far-reaching: organizations pay employees, purchase supplies, contract for services and acquire assets within their community. Those dollars, in turn, generated $100.7 million in household income for local residents, and $13.1 million in local and state government revenues.
"While arts and culture have many positive impacts on Western New York, a sector is often judged primarily on its economic impact and how many jobs it creates," ASI Executive Director Tod A. Kniazuk said. "As this report proves, the cultural sector stands strong as a driver of employment, economic growth, tax revenue creation and more. That's far from the only reason to support the arts, but all who read this report will know that supporting the arts is a good investment that's also good for our community."
Nationwide, the Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 reveals the nonprofit arts industry produces $166.3 billion in economic activity every year, resulting in $27.5 billion in federal, state and local tax revenues. In addition, it supports 4.6 million full-time-equivalent jobs and generates $96 billion in household income.
"This study demonstrates that the arts are an economic and employment powerhouse both locally and across the nation," said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. "A vibrant arts and culture industry helps local businesses thrive, and helps local communities become stronger and healthier places to live. Leaders who care about community and economic vitality can feel good about choosing to invest in the arts. Nationally, as well as locally, the arts mean business."
Arts Industry Boon for Local Businesses
In addition to spending by organizations, the nonprofit arts and culture industry leverages $196.1 million in event-related spending by its audiences. As a result of attending a cultural event, attendees often eat dinner in local restaurants, pay for parking, buy gifts and souvenirs, and pay a babysitter. What's more, attendees from out of town often stay overnight in a local hotel. In Western New York, these dollars support 5,455 full-time-equivalent jobs and generate $27.1 million in local and state government revenues.
"The arts are an expression of our region's diverse and vibrant culture and an important element of our appeal as a tourism destination," New York State Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul said in response to the report. "They are also central to our effort to attract and retain a highly skilled, creative-class workforce in Western New York. The Americans for the Arts report shows the impact of our cultural institutions and makes it clear that they are a necessity to our economic success, now and in the future."
The Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 study was conducted by Americans for the Arts and supported by The Ruth Lilly Fund of Americans for the Arts. Americans for the Arts' local, regional and statewide project partners contributed both time and financial support to the study. Financial information from organizations was collected in partnership with DataArts, using a new online survey interface.
The Western New York study was led by ASI and supported by Fund for the Arts and M&T Bank, with additional support provided by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, as well as from Erie County.
ASI provides professional development, grants, opportunities and advocacy to cultural organizations and artists, as well as public programming to increase access to the arts. More information about the services available to arts and cultural organizations and artists can be found online at
www.asiwny.org.
