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Study Shows $1.9 Billion in Economic Activity and 44,546 Jobs Are Generated Annually by the Nonprofit Arts and Culture Industry in Pennsylvania

Published: Mon, 11 Jun 2007, 18:56:00 GMT

Edited by Carly Zander

Revealing the Nonprofit Arts Industry as a Formidable Business and Economic Driver for Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, Pa. - June 11 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania (CFA/PA) announced today the results of the economic impact of the nonprofit arts industry in Pennsylvania. These statewide results were compiled as part of the most comprehensive economic impact study of the nonprofit arts and culture industry ever conducted in the United States. Entitled "Arts & Economic Prosperity III," the study was conducted in 156 communities and regions (116 cities and counties, 35 multi-county regions, and 5 states) including Pennsylvania.

CFA/PA helped to facilitate the gathering of the detailed economic data from 523 arts organizations that were among 6,080 local arts organizations surveyed nationwide. Americans for the Arts, which conducted the national study, is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America.

Statewide data reveals that Pennsylvania's nonprofit arts industry generates $1,994,171,920 in economic activity annually, including:

* 44,546 full-time equivalent jobs
* $935,851,000 in resident household income
* $91,536,000 in local government tax revenues
* $142,226,000 in state government tax revenues

"This study demonstrates that the arts play a vital part in providing fuel to the economic engine in Pennsylvania," says Jenny L. Hershour, Managing Director of Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania.

The $1,994,171,920 total includes $1,033,177,393 in spending by arts organizations and 960,994,522 in event-related spending by arts audiences, excluding the cost of admission. The 96-.994,522 in event-related spending by arts audiences reflects an average of $30.96 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 ($69.10 compared to $24.10).

Nationally, according to Americans for the Arts report, the nonprofit arts industry generates 5.7 million jobs and $166.2 billion in total economic activity every year, resulting in $29.6 billion in federal, state, and local government revenues. The $166.2 billion total includes $63.1 billion in spending by arts organizations and $103.1 billion in event-related spending by their audiences. The total economic activity has a significant national impact, generating the following:

* 5.7 million full-time equivalent jobs
* $104.2 billion in resident household income
* $7.9 billion in local government tax revenues
* $9.1 billion in state government tax revenues
* $12.6 billion in federal government tax revenues

"This study is a myth buster," said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. "Most Americans understand that the arts improve our quality of life. This study demonstrates that the arts are an industry that stimulates the economy in cities and towns across the country. A vibrant arts and culture industry helps local businesses thrive."

The nation's nonprofit arts and culture industry has grown steadily since the first analysis by Americans for the Arts in 1992, expanding at a rate greater than inflation. Between the second study conducted in 2000 and 2005, spending by organizations and their audiences grew 24 percent, from $134 billion to $166.2 billion in total economic activity.

The Arts & Economic Prosperity III study shows that nonprofits arts support more jobs than accountants and auditors, public safety officers, and even lawyers, and just slightly fewer than elementary school teachers. Spending by nonprofit arts and culture organizations provide rewarding employment for more than just artists, curators, and musicians but they also directly support builders, plumbers, accountants, printers, and an array of occupations.

In addition, the study reveals that the nonprofit arts industry is the cornerstone of tourism. The $103.1 billion in event-related spending by arts audiences reflects an average of $27.79 per person in spending for hotels, restaurants, parking, souvenirs, refreshments, or other similar costs-with non-local attendees spending twice as much as local attendees ($40.19 vs. $19.53). When a community attracts cultural tourists, it harnesses significant economic rewards.

The results of the economic impact of the arts for each of the 116 city and county participants, as well as comparative data for the 24 communities that participated in both the 2002 and current study are available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org/EconomicImpact.

The Arts & Economic Prosperity III study was conducted by Americans for the Arts and supported by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and The Ruth Lilly Fund of Americans for the Arts. Pennsylvania's study was supported by funds from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, members of Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania, and Crayola, Inc. Americans for the Arts' local and statewide project partners contributed both time and financial support to the study. The full text of the report is available at AmericansForTheArts.org/EconomicImpact.

Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania (CFA/PA) is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization committed to creating a strong and supportive environment for the arts in Pennsylvania. CFA/PA speaks out for the interests of artists and arts organizations across the state. As Pennsylvania's only statewide multidisciplinary arts advocacy organization, CFA/PA works to publicize the contributions of the arts to society, increase public and private investment in the arts, expand the role of the arts in tourism, and promote the positive impact of arts education. For additional information, go to www.paarts.org or e-mail: jlh@paarts.org.

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