Study to reveal economic impact of art

The event is free and open to the public, with lunch served for those who RSVP at columbiaarts.org (scroll to Arts & Economic Prosperity 6: Randy Cohen and click the link).

The region-wide study was conducted locally by the Columbia Gorge Tourism Alliance in partnership with The Dalles Art Center, and included audience surveys and organizational audits in the cities of Cascade Locks, Hood River and The Dalles in Oregon; and the cities of Goldendale, Stevenson, Washougal and White Salmon in Washington.

Findings from Oregon

The study found Oregon’s arts and culture sector contributed $829 million to Oregon’s economy in fiscal year 2022. It includes data from 19 Oregon regions and communities. “This study highlights the significant impact of artists and cultural organizations on local economies,” said Sophorn Cheang, director of Business Oregon. “Prosperous local economies lead to a prosperous statewide economy, and this study shows how arts and culture can impact job creation and business growth throughout Oregon.”

The study found 8.9 million attendees of arts and culture events across Oregon spent an average of $39 per event for a total expenditure of $330,920,191, excluding the cost of the admission ticket. Event spending includes meals, parking, souvenirs, babysitting and hotel stays. Close to one million of the attendees were visitors.

Spending by arts and cultural organizations and audience members in the Portland Metro area was $456.5 million.

“This is the most comprehensive data we’ve ever had on how vital arts and culture are to Oregon’s statewide economic prosperity,” said Brian Rogers, Oregon Arts Commission executive director. “Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 is evidence that the nonprofit arts and culture sector is a significant industry in the State of Oregon. It sends a strong signal that when we support the arts, we not only enhance our quality of life, but we also invest in the State of Oregon’s economic well-being and visibility.”

With support from Travel Oregon, 19 Oregon communities participated in gathering data, with 13,342 surveys collected at local arts and culture events.

National art impacts

Nationally, AEP6 reveals the nonprofit arts and culture sector is a $151.7-billion industry, supporting 2.6 million jobs and generating $29.1 billion in government revenue. For the first time, AEP6 expanded beyond economic and financial data to measure the impacts of art and culture on the well-being of communities and residents.

About the study

The study was also supported by the Ruth Lilly Fund of the Americans for the Arts. Local, regional and statewide partners gave time and money. A full list of the 373 participating communities is posted on the Americans for the Arts website.