Professional Documents
Culture Documents
This study reveals that the cultural industry is important to economic prosperity. In Florida, arts and
culture mean business. With more than $3 billion in total direct expenditures into the Florida
economy in 2008, arts and culture are sound investments in Florida’s future. In the pages to follow,
you will read about the many ways that arts and culture are good news for those looking to strengthen
Florida’s economy.
Leaders in Florida are supportive of arts and culture because they have helped to bring new
businesses and ventures to our state. In today’s competitive global marketplace, arts and culture can
play an important role in attracting high-wage jobs and a creative workforce. The Arts and Economic
Prosperity III expands that notion. Not only can the cultural industry play its important part in
attracting business critical to economic recovery, this industry contributes directly to economic
activity, supports jobs, and returns revenue to local and state government.
The return on investment number speaks for itself. At 5:1 in Florida in 2008, it is clear that the arts
and culture are a worthwhile investment in Florida’s future. That year, over 30 million people,
including 7 million school children, participated in grants-supported programs from the Division of
Cultural Affairs. That’s people in all of Florida’s 67 counties attending more than 32,000 cultural
events. Coupled with the over $3 billion in total expenditures, arts and culture mean better quality of
life and better business all across our state.
In addition to their inherent value, arts and culture have the power to build a better Florida. We are
committed to arts and culture, and to the tremendous benefits they bring. We hope that after you read
The Arts and Economic Prosperity III you’ll agree that arts and culture are indeed good news.
Industry...................................................................................................4
ORGANIZATIONS ...............................................................................6
AUDIENCES .........................................................................................7
Conclusion................................................................................. 11
In Appreciation ......................................................................... 27
—Robert L. Lynch
President and CEO
Americans for the Arts
The Arts Mean Business
ROBERT L. LYNCH, PRESIDENT AND CEO, AMERICANS FOR THE ARTS
The key lesson from Arts & Economic Prosperity III is that communities that invest in
the arts reap the additional benefit of jobs, economic growth, and a quality of life that
positions those communities to compete in our 21st century creative economy. In my
travels across the country, business and government leaders often talk to me about the
challenges of funding the arts and other community needs amid shrinking resources.
They worry about jobs and the economic performance of their community. How well
are they competing in the high-stakes race to attract new businesses? Is their region a
magnet for a skilled and creative workforce? I am continually impressed by their
commitment to doing what is best for their constituents and to improving quality of life
for all. The findings from Arts & Economic Prosperity III send a clear and welcome
message: leaders who care about community and economic development can feel good
about choosing to invest in the arts.
Most of us appreciate the intrinsic benefits of the arts— By every measure, the results are impressive! Nationally,
their beauty and vision; how they inspire, soothe, the nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $166.2
provoke, and connect us. When it comes time to make billion in economic activity annually—a 24 percent
tough funding choices, however, elected officials and increase in just the past five years. That amount is greater
business leaders also need to have strong and credible than the Gross Domestic Product of most countries. This
data that demonstrate the economic benefits of a vibrant spending supports 5.7 million full-time jobs right here in
nonprofit arts and culture industry. the U.S.—an increase of 850,000 jobs since our 2002
study. What’s more, because arts and culture organizations
Arts & Economic Prosperity III is our third study of the are strongly rooted in their community, these are jobs that
nonprofit arts and culture industry’s impact on the necessarily remain local and cannot be shipped overseas.
nation’s economy. Because of their rigor and reliability,
results from the 1994 and 2002 studies have become the Our industry also generates nearly $30 billion in revenue
most frequently used statistics to demonstrate the value to local, state, and federal governments every year. By
of arts and culture locally, statewide, and nationally. comparison, the three levels of government collectively
This new study is our largest ever, featuring findings spend less than $4 billion annually to support arts and
from 156 study regions (116 cities and counties, 35 culture—a spectacular 7:1 return on investment that would
multi-county regions, and five statewide studies). Data even thrill Wall Street veterans.
were collected from an impressive 6,080 nonprofit arts
and culture organizations and 94,478 of their attendees Arts & Economic Prosperity III has more good news for
across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. business leaders. Arts and culture organizations—
Total spending by nonprofit arts and culture organizations and their audiences totaled $3.1 billion in the State of
Florida during 2008. The following table shows the direct economic impact of this spending—that is, the initial
economic effect of these expenditures.
DIRECT Economic Impact of the Nonprofit Arts and Culture Industry in the State of Florida
(Spending by Nonprofit Arts and Culture Organizations and Their Audiences)
Median of
State of Florida Statewide Study Regions
Total Expenditures1 $3,135,393,850 $418,055,786
These direct economic impacts create an additional indirect economic impact on the economy. The local
expenditures continue to have an economic impact on the economy until the money eventually “leaks out” of the
region (i.e., is spent outside the State of Florida). The total economic impact is the combination of the direct
economic impact and the indirect economic impact. The table below shows the total economic impact of the $3.1
billion spent by nonprofit arts and culture organizations and their audiences during 2008.
TOTAL Economic Impact of the Nonprofit Arts and Culture Industry in the State of Florida
(Spending by Nonprofit Arts and Culture Organizations and Their Audiences)
Median of
State of Florida Statewide Study Regions
Total Expenditures1 $3,135,393,850 $418,055,786
Arts & Economic Prosperity III uses a sophisticated economic analysis called input/output analysis to measure
economic impact. It is a system of mathematical equations that combines statistical methods and economic theory.
Input/output analysis enables economists to track how many times a dollar is “re-spent” within the local economy,
and the economic impact generated by each round of spending. How can a dollar be re-spent? Consider the
following example:
A theater company purchases a gallon of paint from the local hardware store for $20, generating
the direct economic impact of the expenditure. The hardware store then uses a portion of the
aforementioned $20 to pay the sales clerk’s salary; the sales clerk respends some of the money for
groceries; the grocery store uses some of the money to pay its cashier; the cashier then spends
some for the utility bill; and so on. The subsequent rounds of spending are the indirect economic
impacts.
Thus, the initial expenditure by the theater company was followed by four additional rounds of spending (by the
hardware store, sales clerk, grocery store, and the cashier). The effect of the theater company’s initial expenditure is
the direct economic impact. The effects of the subsequent rounds of spending are all of the indirect impacts. The
total impact is the sum of the direct and indirect impacts.
A dollar “ripples” through communities very differently, which is why a customized input/output model was created
for the State of Florida.
“Arts and culture are vital to the future of Florida. Count these
as investments in community development, as investments in a
quality workforce and an innovation economy. Businesses and
communities prosper from the creativity and the creative
workforce. Arts and culture is that ingredient that not only
enriches experiences but attracts others, some as visitors but
many to stay.”
—Tony Carvajal
Executive Vice President
Florida Chamber Foundation
Tallahassee, Florida
Nonprofit arts and culture organizations are active contributors to their business community. They are employers,
producers, and consumers. They are members of the chamber of commerce as well as key partners in the marketing
and promotion of their cities, regions, and states. Spending by nonprofit arts and culture organizations totaled $1.4
billion in the State of Florida during 2008. This spending is far-reaching: organizations pay employees, purchase
supplies, contract for services, and acquire assets within their community. These actions, in turn, support jobs,
create household income, and generate revenue to the local and state governments.
Data were collected from 1,182 nonprofit arts and culture organizations in the State of Florida. Each provided
detailed budget information about more than 40 expenditure categories for fiscal year 2008 (e.g., labor, payments to
local and non-local artists, operations, materials, facilities, and asset acquisition) as well as their total attendance
figures. The following tables demonstrate the direct and total impacts of this spending.
Median of
State of Florida Statewide Study Regions
1
Total Expenditures $1,433,182,107 $247,127,217
Median of
State of Florida Statewide Study Regions
1
Total Expenditures $1,433,182,107 $247,127,217
The nonprofit arts and culture, unlike most industries, leverage a significant amount of event-related spending by its
audiences. For example, when patrons attend an arts event, they may pay to park their car in a garage, purchase
dinner at a restaurant, eat dessert after the show, and pay a babysitter upon their return home. This spending
generates related commerce for local businesses such as restaurants, parking garages, hotels, and retail stores.
To measure the impact of nonprofit arts and culture audiences in the State of Florida, data were collected from
13,989 event attendees during 2008-09. Researchers used an audience-intercept methodology, a standard technique
in which patrons complete a written survey about their event-related spending while attending the event. The 1,182
nonprofit arts and culture organizations that responded to the detailed organizational survey reported that the
aggregate attendance to their events was 57.8 million. These attendees spent a total of $1.7 billion, excluding the
cost of event admission. The following tables demonstrate the direct and total impacts of this spending.
Median of
State of Florida Statewide Study Regions
1
Total Expenditures $1,702,211,743 $170,928,569
Median of
State of Florida Statewide Study Regions
1
Total Expenditures $1,702,211,743 $170,928,569
In addition to spending data, the 13,989 audience survey respondents were asked to provide the ZIP code of their
primary residence, enabling researchers to determine which attendees were residents (i.e., live within State of
Florida) and which were non-residents (live outside State of Florida). In the State of Florida, 84.4 percent of the
57.8 million nonprofit arts attendees were residents; 15.6 percent were non-residents.
Non-resident arts and culture event attendees spent an average of 137 percent more than resident attendees per
person ($57.49 vs. $24.25). As would be expected from a traveler, higher spending was typically found in the
categories of lodging, meals, and transportation. These data demonstrate that when a community attracts cultural
tourists, it harnesses significant economic rewards.
Event-Related Spending by Arts and Culture Event Attendees Totaled $1.7 billion
in the State of Florida (excluding the cost of event admission)
All
State of Florida
Residents Non-Residents Event Attendees
Total Event Attendance 48,807,381 9,021,269 57,828,650
Nonprofit Arts and Culture Event Attendees Spend an Average of $29.42 Per Person
in the State of Florida (excluding the cost of event admission)
All
State of Florida
Residents Non-Residents Event Attendees
Refreshments/Snacks During Event $3.23 $5.01 $3.50
Meals Before/After Event $9.25 $13.33 $9.89
Souvenirs and Gifts $3.74 $6.54 $4.17
Clothing and Accessories $1.87 $2.19 $1.92
Ground Transportation $2.29 $6.11 $2.88
Event-Related Child Care $0.33 $0.17 $0.31
Overnight Lodging (one night only) $2.61 $22.21 $5.66
Other $0.93 $1.93 $1.09
Total Per Person Spending $24.25 $57.49 $29.42
Arts & Economic Prosperity III reveals a significant contribution to nonprofit arts and culture organizations as a
result of voluntarism. In 2008, 199,259 arts volunteers donated 9,394,421 hours to the State of Florida’s nonprofit
arts and culture organizations. This represents a donation of time with an estimated value of $190,237,025
(Independent Sector estimates the value of the average 2008 volunteer hour to be $20.25).2 While these arts
volunteers may not have an economic impact as defined in this study, they clearly have an enormous impact by
helping the State of Florida’s nonprofit arts and culture organizations function as a viable industry.
In addition, the nonprofit arts and culture organizations surveyed for this study were asked about the sources and
value of their in-kind support. In-kind contributions are non-cash donations such as materials (e.g., office supplies
from a local retailer), facilities (e.g., rent), and services (e.g., printing costs from a local printer). The 1,182
responding nonprofit arts and culture organizations in the State of Florida reported that they received in-kind
contributions with an aggregate value of $74,304,054 during 2008. These contributions were received from a
variety of sources including corporations, individuals, local and state arts agencies, and government.
“Communities rich in art and culture no doubt attract other economic investments and
are fun places to live. But art and culture accomplish so much more – they are an
expression of what it means to be fully human, they bind us together as fellow travelers,
lift our spirits, and allow us to realize our creative potential.”
—Mike Miedel
Director
Pinellas County Economic Development
Clearwater, Florida
For every $100,000 in spending by a nonprofit arts and culture organization in the State of Florida, there was the
following total economic impact.
Ratios of Economic Impact Per $100,000 of Spending by Nonprofit Arts and Culture Organizations
in the State of Florida
State of Florida
1. Determine the amount spent by the nonprofit arts and culture organization;
2. Divide the total expenditure by 100,000; and
3. Multiply that figure by the FTE employment ratio per $100,000 for the State of Florida.
Thus, $250,000 divided by 100,000 equals 2.5; 2.5 times 3.47 (from the table above—Ratios of Economic Impact
Per $100,000 of Spending by Nonprofit Arts and Culture Organizations in the State of Florida) equals a total of 8.7
full-time equivalent jobs supported (both directly and indirectly) within the State of Florida by that nonprofit arts
and culture organization. Using the same procedure, the estimate can be calculated for resident household income
and local and state government revenue.
The economic impact of event-related spending by arts audiences also can be derived for individual or groups of
nonprofit arts and culture organizations and events in the State of Florida.
The first step is to determine the total estimated event-related spending by arts and culture event attendees
(excluding the cost of admission). To derive this figure, multiply the average per person event-related expenditure
in the State of Florida by the total event attendance. The ratios of economic impact per $100,000 in spending then
can be used to determine the total economic impact of the total estimated audience spending.
Average Per Person Event-Related Spending by All Arts and Culture Event Attendees
in the State of Florida (excluding the cost of event admission)
State of Florida
Ratios of Economic Impact Per $100,000 of Spending by Nonprofit Arts and Culture Audiences
in the State of Florida
State of Florida
1. Determine the total estimated audience spending by multiplying the average per person expenditure for the
State of Florida by the total attendance to nonprofit arts and culture events;
2. Divide the resulting total estimated audience spending by 100,000; and
3. Multiply that figure by the FTE employment ratio per $100,000 for the State of Florida.
Thus, 25,000 times $29.42 (from the top table on the preceding page—Average Per Person Event-Related Spending
by Arts and Culture Event Attendees in the State of Florida) equals $735,500; $735,500 divided by 100,000 equals
7.36; 7.36 times 2.27 (from the bottom table on the preceding page—Ratios of Economic Impact Per $100,000 of
Spending by Nonprofit Arts and Culture Audiences in the State of Florida) equals a total of 16.7 full-time equivalent
jobs supported (both directly and indirectly) within the State of Florida by that nonprofit arts and culture
organization. Using the same procedure, the estimate can be calculated for resident household income and local and
state government revenue.
—Linda Langston
Linn County Supervisor, Iowa
Chair, Arts Commission, National Association of Counties
For more comparisons, data tables containing the detailed survey results for all 156 communities that participated in
Arts & Economic Prosperity III are located in Appendix A of the full National Report. All three national study
reports are available for download and purchase at www.AmericansForTheArts.org/EconomicImpact,
including the Highlights Brochure, the Summary Report, and the full National Report.
Economic Impact of the Nonprofit Arts Industry: The State of Florida Compared to Similarly Populated Study
Regions with Populations of Statewide (Listed by Population in Ascending Order)
Total Industry
Expenditures Full-Time Resident Local State
(Organizations Equivalent Household Government Government
Study Region Population & Audiences) Jobs Income Revenue Revenue
The diverse communities range in population (4,000 modest cost-sharing fee (no community was refused
to 3 million) and type (rural to urban). The study participation for an inability to pay).
focuses solely on nonprofit arts and culture Citizens for Florida Arts, Inc.—in partnership
organizations and their audiences. Public arts with the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs—
councils and public presenting facilities/institutions contracted with Americans for the Arts to conduct
are included as are select programs embedded within an economic impact study focusing on the
another organization (that have their own budget and nonprofit arts and culture industry in the State of
play a substantial role in the cultural life of the Florida. The methodology used is identical to the
community). The study excludes spending by national study methodology, providing the ability to
individual artists and the for-profit arts and compare the results for Florida with those of the
entertainment sector (e.g., Broadway or the motion national study’s other statewide participants.
picture industry). Detailed expenditure data were
collected from 6,080 arts and culture organizations
and 94,478 of their attendees. The project economists SURVEYS OF NONPROFIT ARTS AND CULTURE
customized input/output analysis models for each ORGANIZATIONS
study region to provide specific economic impact Each of the 156 study regions attempted to identify
data about their nonprofit arts and culture industry. its complete universe of nonprofit arts and culture
organizations using the Urban Institute’s National
Taxonomy of Exempt Entity (NTEE)3 codes as a
THE 156 STUDY PARTNERS guideline. Eligible nonprofit arts and culture
Americans for the Arts published a Call for organizations—those whose primary purpose is to
Participants in 2005 seeking communities interested promote appreciation for and understanding of the
in participating in the Arts & Economic Prosperity III visual, performing, folk, and media arts—received a
study. Of the more than 200 partners that expressed web-based survey. Sent via email, the survey
interest, 156 agreed to participate and complete four collected detailed information about their 2005 fiscal
participation criteria: (1) identify and code the year expenditures in more than 40 expenditure
universe of nonprofit arts and culture organizations in categories, including labor, local and non-local
their study region; (2) disseminate, collect, and artists, operations, materials, facilities, and asset
review for accuracy expenditure surveys from those acquisition. Data were collected from 6,080
organizations; (3) conduct audience-intercept surveys organizations for this study. Response rates for the
at a minimum of 16 diverse arts events; and (4) pay a 156 communities averaged 41.3 percent and ranged
from 10.4 percent to 100 percent. Responding
to a high of $159.2 million. Each study region’s A6E, Performing Arts Schools
results are based solely on the actual survey data A71, Art History Organizations
END NOTES
1
Americans for the Arts’ proprietary economic impact methodology does not employ the use of an expenditure multiplier. The “Total
Expenditures” figure listed on the data tables on Pages 4, 6, and 7 of this report are identical because we measure the economic
impacts of only the actual expenditures reported. An explanation of the difference between “direct” and “total” economic impacts
can be found on Page 5 of this report.
2
Giving and Volunteering in the United States 2008, Independent Sector, 2009.
3
The National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities (NTEE)—developed by the National Center for Charitable Statistics at the Urban
Institute—is a definitive classification system for nonprofit organizations recognized as tax exempt by the Internal Revenue Code.
This system divides the entire universe of nonprofit organizations in ten broad categories, including “Arts, Culture, and Humanities.”
The Urban Institute estimates that there are approximately 100,000 nonprofit arts and culture organizations currently operating in the
United States (including 4,063 that are located within the State of Florida).
CULTURAL TOURISM
Travel directed toward experiencing the arts, heritage, and special character of a place.
DIRECT EXPENDITURES
The first round of expenditures in the economic cycle. A paycheck from the symphony to the violin player and a
ballet company’s purchase of dance shoes are examples of direct expenditures.
ECONOMETRICS
The process of using statistical methods and economic theory to develop a system of mathematical equations that
measures the flow of dollars between local industries. The input-output model developed for this study is an
example of an econometric model.
ECONOMETRICIAN
An economist who designs, builds, and maintains econometric models.
INDIRECT IMPACT
Each time a dollar changes hands, there is a measurable economic impact. When people and businesses receive
money, they re-spend much of that money locally. Indirect impact measures the effect of this re-spending on jobs,
household income, and revenue to local and state government. It is often referred to as secondary spending or the
dollars “rippling” through a community. When funds are eventually spent non-locally, they are considered to have
“leaked out” of the community and therefore cease to have a local economic impact. Indirect impact is the sum of
the impact of all rounds of spending.
LEAKAGE
The money that community members spend outside of a community. This non-local spending has no economic
impact within the community. A ballet company purchasing shoes from a non-local manufacturer is an example of
leakage. If the shoe company were local, the expenditure would remain within the community and create another
round of spending by the shoe company.
HOW WERE THE ELIGIBLE NONPROFIT ARTS ORGANIZATIONS IN EACH COMMUNITY SELECTED?
Local partners attempted to identify their universe of nonprofit arts and culture organizations using the Urban
Institute’s National Taxonomy of Exempt Entity (NTEE) codes as a guideline. Eligible organizations included those
whose primary purpose is to promote appreciation for and understanding of the visual, performing, folk, and media
arts. Public arts councils, public presenting facilities or institutions, and embedded organizations that have their own
budget also were included if they play a substantial role in the cultural life of the community.
WHAT TYPE OF ECONOMIC ANALYSIS WAS DONE TO DETERMINE THE STUDY RESULTS?
An input-output analysis model was customized for each of the participating communities and regions to determine
the local economic impact their nonprofit arts and culture organizations and arts audiences. Americans for the Arts,
which conducted the research, worked with a highly regarded economist to design the input-output model used for
this study.
HOW IS THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF ARTS AND CULTURE ORGANIZATIONS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER
INDUSTRIES?
Any time money changes hands there is a measurable economic impact. Social service organizations, libraries, and
all entities that spend money have an economic impact. What makes the economic impact of arts and culture
organizations unique is that, unlike most other industries, they induce large amounts of related spending by their
audiences. For example, when patrons attend a performing arts event, they may purchase dinner at a restaurant, eat
dessert after the show, and return home and pay the baby-sitter. All of these expenditures have a positive and
measurable impact on the economy.
You can be confident that the input-output analysis used in this study is a highly regarded model in the field of
economics (the basis of two Nobel Prizes in economics). However, as in any professional field, there is
disagreement about procedures, jargon, and the best way to determine results. Ask 12 artists to define art and you
will get 24 answers; expect the same of economists. You may meet an economist who believes that these studies
should be done differently (for example, a cost-benefit analysis of the arts).
—Jonathon Fanton
President
MacArthur Foundation