Research: Economic Impact
Arts & Economic Prosperity III
Throughout calendar year 2006, RACC and NW/BCA participated in a major study coordinated by Americans for the Arts to quantify the economic impact of the nonprofit arts and culture sector in the Portland metropolitan area and 155 other communities across the country.
The national report, released May 22, 2007, concluded that the nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $166.2 billion in economic activity annually. This spending supports 5.7 million FTE jobs in the United States, and because these organizations are deeply rooted in the community, these are jobs that necessarily remain local and cannot be shipped overseas. For more information visit www.AmericansForTheArts.org/EconomicImpact.
The local report, released on June 6, 2006, revealed that 111 nonprofit arts and culture organizations in Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington Counties compose a $318 million industry, including $166.7 million in direct organizational spending and $151.5 million in event-related spending by their audiences. This economic activity supports more than 10,300 jobs and generates $206.7 million in household income to local residents. For more information, visit www.racc.org/aep3.
Previous Studies
2001 Economic Impact Studies of the NonProfit Arts in Oregon
More than 400 nonprofit arts organizations around the state of Oregon contributed $100 million in direct spending and more than $262 million in overall impact to the state's economy in fiscal 2000, according to an updated reports released this week. Oregon's nonprofit arts sector grew by nearly 19% over the past three years and attracted more than 5.6 million patrons, making it a vibrant industry and major contributor to the cultural life of the state.
Oregon's broad range of cultural activities has also supported rapid growth in creative services industries such as advertising, public relations, website design, filmmaking and commercial art ventures. Job growth in this sector is outpacing that of other Portland area industries by a rate of 2:1, with further strong growth on the horizon. The report also notes the growing impact of cultural heritage tourism, and urges further study of its potential to draw new, affluent visitors and increased tourism spending to the state.
The economic impact report was commissioned by Northwest Business for Culture and the Arts (NW/BCA), the Oregon Arts Commission, and the Regional Arts & Culture Council and was researched by the Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF.) Partial funding of the report was provided by NW/BCA member companies Standard Insurance, Northwest Natural and Norris Beggs & Simpson.
For a complete print copy of The Economic Impact of the Arts in Oregon call NW/BCA at 503.228.2977. To read or download the report, click here. (49 page pdf) .
RACC Staff to Contact
Jeff Hawthorne
Director of Community Affairs
503.823.5258
jhawthorne@racc.org
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