LOOK WHAT THE ARTS CAN DO WHEN WE LET THEM!
The arts and culture sectors contributed more than $1 trillion to the US GDP in 2021, as the arts grew quicker than the wider economy. In Nevada, this resulted in a contribution of at least $9.4 billion (4.8%) to the state's GDP and over 39,683 jobs, not including contract employees who add even more to employment figures.
The Arts are not a cause they are an industry, a tool for society; our Culture is the reflection and legacy of our humanity. Our diverse population relies on the economic mobility, social cohesion, and opportunity that the independent arts and culture sector provides. A strategy to protect the local arts and culture community will empower the most impactful force multiplier we have in Nevada’s economy.
What can you do to make the most of the innovators in your community, local Arts professionals, whose special skills solve problems in effective ways?
Eat More Art LLC's help.
THE AFTA ARTS & ECONOMIC PROSPERITY 6 (AEP6)
The Economic Impact of Spending by Nonprofit Arts and
Culture Organizations and Their Audiences
The NEVADA ARTS AND CULTURE AEP6 audience survey collection is underway!!
WHAT IS AEP6?
Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) is an economic impact study of the nation’s nonprofit arts and culture industry. It is the largest and most inclusive study of its kind ever conducted, with a specific focus on 360 participating communities from across all 50 states plus the District of Columbia.
The Nevada Arts Council, Clark County Public Arts Office, and the City of Las Vegas Office of Cultural Affairs are research partner organizations identified to assist Americans for the Arts with two primary data collection efforts:
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An audience-intercept survey of attendees to arts and culture events that take place in the community
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A budget and attendance survey of the comprehensive universe of nonprofit arts and culture organizations that exist in the community.
Each participating community receives a final report customized for their survey data and based on an economic input-output model tailored for their specific local economy. Researchers then use the localized findings to extrapolate national impact estimates for the entire nonprofit arts and culture industry.
WHY IS AEP6 SUPER IMPORTANT TO NEVADA'S FUTURE?
In 2017, AEP5 documented that the nonprofit arts industry generated $166.3 billion in economic activity (spending by organizations plus the event-related spending by their audiences) which supported 4.6 million jobs and generated $27.5 billion in government revenue. AEP demonstrates that an investment in the arts provides both cultural and economic benefits.
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Nonprofit arts and culture organizations are businesses. They employ people locally, purchase goods and services from within the community, are members of their Chambers of Commerce, and attract tourists to their regions. The Creative Economy contributes more to Nevada's GDP than Mining!
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The arts drive commerce to local businesses. The arts, unlike most industries, leverage significant amounts of event-related spending by their audiences. In 2017, arts attendees spent $31.47 per person, per event, beyond the cost of admission on items such as meals, parking, and lodging—vital income for local businesses.
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Arts travelers are ideal tourists. They stay longer and spend more to seek out authentic cultural experiences. One-third of attendees travel from outside the county in which the activity takes place and spend an average of $48 per person. (69% say they traveled specifically to attend the activity.)
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Small investments. Big returns. In 2017, the combined $5 billion in direct arts funding by local, state, and federal governments yielded $27.5 billion in government revenue.
Additional Resources:
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
THE AUDIENCE SURVEY
Audience surveys will be collected from attendees at performances, events, exhibits, venues, and facilities during the 12 months from May 2022 through April 2023.
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The survey is available in multiple formats and translations:
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Customized QR Codes will be made available for all 387 participating communities (to allow respondents to use their own smart devices while attending an activity)
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Customized URL versions of the survey will also be created (for use with tablet computers such as iPads provided to attendees while attending an activity)
ORGANIZATIONAL SURVEY
Americans for the Arts will conduct an economic impact survey of those organizations from January through April 2023.
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The survey will collect information about each organization's revenues, expenditures, physical (in-person) attendance, virtual attendance, staff size, and volunteers.
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The survey will also include a set of diversity and inclusion questions designed to identify organizations that primarily serve a community of color and organizations that have a chief executive who identifies as a person of color.