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June Issue 2004
Arts Industry 'Just the Ticket' for Economic Growth in NC
The North Carolina Arts Council in Raleigh,
NC, announced on May 11, 2004, that nonprofit arts organizations
in North Carolina generate the powerful economic impact of $723
million and nearly 7,000 full time jobs. Entitled "Just the
Ticket," the report reveals that North Carolina's nonprofit
arts industry adds up to be a large community asset, one that
is "a viable vehicle for economic development for many North
Carolina counties." Leading non-profit arts groups in the
state average 13 full time jobs per organization, and can double
that amount with part time and seasonal workers. Full time salaries
generate an estimated $32 million in federal and state taxes.
"While the arts feed the soul, they also help feed many North
Carolina families," said NC Arts Council Executive Director
Mary B. Regan. "The creative industry is a growth industry
that is here to stay, and helps attract other business to our
state."
More than one million North Carolinians - nearly one of every
eight citizens - is an active arts supporter, member or volunteer.
Arts participants are known to be involved citizens who are more
inclined than the average person to vote and to help with community
activities. As such, it is no surprise that an estimated 124,209
people volunteer at non-profit arts groups. North Carolina cultural
volunteers donate between one day and two weeks annually - the
equivalent of an additional 4,237 full-time employees. The Washington
clearinghouse "Independent Sector" applies a standard
$16.04 per hour to volunteer time, for a total of $131,034,421
worth of service.
The cumulative effects of North Carolina's 2,468 non-profit cultural
institutions - that provide various arts events, festivals, concerts,
and educational services - are "combining to powerful effect"
say researchers Dr. Dinesh Dave and Dr. Michael Evans, professors
at Appalachian State University's John A. Walker College of Business.
Their figures identified a total direct economic impact of $394,675,913.
Combined with a very conservative multiplier factor of 1.5 and
the volunteer contribution, the not for profit economic impact
estimate comes to $723,048,290. When arts workers in the commercial
and educational sectors are added, it is estimated that total
employment in the creative industry will approach 2% of all jobs
in North Carolina, with revenues in the billions.
The major arts organizations in the state are comparable to small
businesses, with an average annual income of around $1 million
that lead an economic chain reaction in their communities. The
arts generated $26 million in Watauga County, $60 million in Buncombe
County, $67 million in Wake County, and $94 million in Mecklenburg
County, based upon studies released in the past three years. A
healthy part of the economic vitality documented in the local
studies comes from cultural tourists, who typically stay longer,
do more, and spend more than the average tourist. Leisure travel
to and in North Carolina is on the rise. Notably, in July 2003,
North Carolina was named a Top 10 state for cultural and heritage
travel, according to the Travel Industry of America and Smithsonian
magazine. Study authors Evans and Dave underscore the findings
of the Smithsonian report when they suggest that it "makes
economic sense for local, city, and county policy makers to fund
arts groups that attract visitors and high spending tourists to
an area, particularly as North Carolina continues to see growth
in the travel industry, and particularly growth in the cultural
segment of travel." The ASU study was funded by the NC Arts
Council.
The mission of the NC Arts Council, which celebrates those who
create and enjoy art in all 100 counties, is to enrich the cultural
life of the state. The Arts Council nurtures and supports excellence
in the arts, and provides opportunities for every North Carolinian
to experience the arts. A division of the NC Department of Cultural
Resources, the Arts Council further serves as a catalyst for the
development of arts organizations and facilities throughout the
state as it makes grants and offers technical assistance.
Further information about the economic impact
study can be found at the Arts Council's website at (www.ncarts.org/who_facts_new.cfm).
For further info contact the NC Arts Council at 919/733-2822
or at (www.ncarts.org).
Carolina Arts is published monthly by Shoestring Publishing Company, a subsidiary of PSMG, Inc. Copyright© 2004 by PSMG, Inc., which published Charleston Arts from July 1987 - Dec. 1994 and South Carolina Arts from Jan. 1995 - Dec. 1996. It also publishes Carolina Arts Online, Copyright© 2004 by PSMG, Inc. All rights reserved by PSMG, Inc. or by the authors of articles. Reproduction or use without written permission is strictly prohibited. Carolina Arts is available throughout North & South Carolina.