ArtsBuild, the Southeast Development District and the Tennessee Arts Commission will hold a joint presentation to announce the results of the recent Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 study that measured the cumulative economic impact of the non-profit arts sector in the region and across the state. The presentation will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 6, at 5 p.m. at ArtsBuild, 301 E. 11th St., Second Floor. Presenters include Anne Pope, executive director of the Tennessee Arts Commission; Beth Jones, executive director of the Southeast Development District; and Dan Bowers, president of ArtsBuild. The presentation is free and open to the public.
Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 was the most comprehensive economic impact study of the nonprofit arts and culture industry ever conducted in the United States. The study was conducted by Americans for the Arts, the country’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education. AEP5 examined annual economic activity generated by non-profit arts organizations as well as the number of full-time equivalent jobs supported and government revenues.
Hamilton County participated in the last Arts & Economic Prosperity study in 2012 that showed a cumulative $106 million impact on the local economy including the support of 3,880 full-time jobs and the generation of $12 million in state and local government revenue.
“By every measure, the results of Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 prove that the arts are an industry—a generator of government revenue, a cornerstone of tourism, and an employment powerhouse both locally and across the nation,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “Leaders who care about community and economic vitality, growing tourism, attracting an innovative workforce, and community engagement can feel good about choosing to invest in the arts.”
“We were thrilled to partner with Americans for the Arts and the Tennessee Arts Commission and participate in the Arts & Economic Prosperity study,” said Mr. Bowers. “The arts play a significant role in strengthening our community. The information gathered will help us identify the impact of the arts on our local economy and how that compares to other communities across the country.”
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. For a full list of the communities who participated in the Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 study, visit www.AmericansForTheArts.org/AEP5Partners.
For additional information contact ArtsBuild, 756-2787 or artsbuild@artsbuild.com