ROI – The Economic Impact of the Arts

When I first was asked to teach non art major students art appreciation, I have to admit I was terrified. This is one of those courses required to graduate. I know you think of all those artist, location, dates and styles you had to memorize. I can almost hear your think “snore”. Now-now keep reading it gets interesting, I promise. 

Having worn so many hats through out my careers, I snapped out of it and put yet another thinking hat on. I asked myself what and how can I introduce this course to 60 students and get their attention? I give you a few minutes to come up with your own strategies…… 

MONEY!!!! There is not a person alive who does not perk up hearing that word. We are conditioned from little on to pay attention to money as much as when we hear someone screaming “fire!!!” to get out of a building. It is a trigger word which has quite a hold on us. Ok Iris where are you going with this?  

Ask yourself “ What does the art bring to the economy?”  I am glad you asked, because it is time for a reminder. The arts are the first place governments and politician cut funding. From an economic standpoint they are cutting their own noses off. Continue reading ones  you see the numbers you will agree. They count on us not to understand the economic ramifications those cuts not only cost the art industry lost revenue,  but everyone. Let me show you the numbers.

 

The NUMBERS 

The arts create jobs add 919.7 BILLION to the economy. Read that again 919.7 Billion and counting. That is 4.3% the art and culture industry ads to the nations GDP.  It creates 5.2 million jobs not including self employed art workers are not included in that number. The arts are an economic powerhouse.  

  • For Philadelphia 
  • 55,000 full-time equivalent jobs. 
  • $1.3 billion in household income
  • $224.3 million in state and local taxes  
  • For New Jersey
  • 21,984 jobs
  • Economic impact $662.3 Million
  • State Investment $15.7 Million
  • 81% Student involvement 

Google search your own state.

 

After showing my presentation I asked the students if they had any idea how much money the art industry poured into the economy? Then if they found this information interesting and important to know? I could see in their eyes that I got their attention. 

 

 What can you do to support the arts?

  1. Talk to your politician about the importance of arts  and how vitally important the arts are to their state and countries economically.
  2. Ensure your local school continues teaching art (often the first thing to get cut)
  3. Donate to your local University art department/school
  4. Buy handmade gifts and art from local artists
  5. Support your local art businesses
  6. Introduce your children to the arts
  7. Gift someone their first artwork to start an art collection
  8. Get that art membership to support local museums and art organizations
  9. Pay artist for their services, all to often they are asked to do them for free (exposure does not pay the bills) 
  10. Shop for art on Artist Sunday November 28

Health Advisory: are not allergic to money. Just like in any occupation artists do appreciate not going hungry, feed, dress their family and pay bills and have a place to call home. Note: Exposure does non of this. 

  Artists are a gift to your communities. They create their own jobs, don’t use most social services, create jobs and spend their income in their own community. Most of all they ad spice to life.

 

Thank you for supporting the arts

 

Artist Sunday is November 28 

Artists Sunday is a nationwide art-shopping event taking place with professional artists, non-profit art organizations and municipalities across the country. Participants include hundreds of local communities, including arts agencies, cities, counties, state agencies, chambers of commerce, and organizations and thousands of individual artists. https://artistssunday.com

 

Sources: 

https://en.unesco.org/creativity/news/new-unesco-economic-impact-outlook-creative-industries 

https://www.arts.gov/about/news/2019/latest-data-shows-increase-us-economy-arts-and-cultural-sector 

https://www.americansforthearts.org/by-program/reports-and-data/legislation-policy/naappd/10-reasons-to-support-the-arts-in-2021 

https://nasaa-arts.org/nasaa_research/facts-figures-on-the-creative-economy/

https://www.otis.edu/creative-economy/2021

 

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