The significant economic impact of the arts justifies government funding

It can even strengthen the economies of the municipalities that support it. A recent report shows that the economic impact of art is greater than many realize.

Those who think of arts programming as something they can do without, or those, like some people in Amherst, who don’t understand why a theater in a park makes sense should think more about all the benefits arts organizations can provide. It is much more than money – although the money is there.

It’s also something Albany should keep in mind as it finalizes its 2024-25 budget, which could, advocates say, include cuts to arts funding.

According to Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6), a study of the economic and social impact of the nonprofit arts and culture industry in Western New York, the sector generated $381.4 million in local economic activity in 2022. – $192 million in spending by arts and culture organizations and an additional $189.4 million in event-related spending by their audiences. This activity supported 8,221 jobs, provided $327.4 million in personal income to residents, and generated $121 million in tax revenue for local, state and federal governments.

Many look to such studies – it is usually held, as it were, by the organizations that can benefit most from the favorable statistics – with an understandable yellow eye. It is true that the AEP6 survey was conducted by Americans for the Arts, a national arts advocacy organization, in partnership with Arts Services Inc., the local arts advocacy organization in this region.

But the rigor of the number crunching methodology used in this study – IMPLANT – is the same economic analysis system New York State uses to determine which tax credit programs generate the most benefits.

This is the first time that arts research has used the IMPLAN platform. There was also a stronger, more intentional focus on including data from organizations representing BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and ALAANA (African, Latino, Asian, Arab, Native American) communities. Audience surveys were offered in 25 languages ​​and 145 local organizations in Erie, Niagara, Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties were surveyed.

Of course, this is about a lot more than numbers, but it’s good to know that Western New York’s many arts organizations aren’t draining the local economy. Exactly the opposite.

There are other definitions of value. Noting the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the AEP6 report states that “art has breathed joy into our lives when it was hard to find, prevented isolation and loneliness when it was most persistent, and increased life satisfaction when it lagged behind most.”

The report also notes that community pride is part of the value that audience members find in the arts, p 90.5% of arts and culture patrons agree that their presence has inspired “a sense of pride in this neighborhood or community” and 88.5% in solidarity with “I would feel a great sense of loss if this activity or place no longer are not available’.

Western New York prides itself on its art scene. Our art museums and galleries rival those in larger cities, including our neighbors Cleveland and Pittsburgh. The same can be said for music and theater in the region. But that’s not really the most important thing. Each small establishment has its own dedicated audience and serves the surrounding community, including such outreach as educational programs.

Knowing this, it makes it surprising that some Amherst residents – though probably a vocal minority – Find the addition of the MusicalFare Theater to the park so unwelcome. It’s not like a theater audience to destroy the place. This is an addition that should prove an improvement.

Knowing this also makes advocating for continued arts funding key. The New York State Council’s funding for the arts is now 68% below what it was in 1990. It has been cut enough.

And as the AEP6 report makes clear, it’s also an investment with a clear return.

We are lucky. We should celebrate by welcoming arts organizations to our neighborhoods and supporting the arts funding that makes every Western New York community richer.

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