A new study from Appalachian State University entitled "Just the Ticket - The Arts Make Money in North Carolina" reports the economic impact of the non-profit arts industry in North Carolina to be $723 million with nearly 7,000 full-time jobs. Here in Wake County, the 29 nonprofit arts organizations United Arts currently supports illustrate what study authors Dr. Dinseh Dave and Dr. Michael Evans mean when they say "Organizations providing various arts events, festivals, concerts, educational services, etc., in the average county (are) combining to powerful economic effect."
The powerful economic chain reaction started by organizations like United Arts grantees leads to vibrant and healthy communities. They employ 212 full-time, part-time and seasonal employees. Over 700,000 people attend their arts events in Wake County each year, many of whom stay in the area extra nights to pursue other cultural activities.
National numbers suggest that cultural attendees spend $22.87 per event, not including the price of a ticket. For instance, when patrons attend a performing arts event, they may park their car in a toll garage, purchase dinner at a restaurant, eat dessert after the show, and return home and pay a babysitter.
Often, the first people the public sees when attending an event held by our grantee groups are volunteers. "In an age when people are stretched and pressed in many directions, we are so gratified that more than 6,000 people opt to volunteer their time each year to help our grantee organizations," said Eleanor H. Jordan, President & CEO of United Arts. The Washington, D.C. clearinghouse 'The Independent Sector' places the value of each volunteer hour at $16.04, adding over $2.5 million to the value of the organizations' budgets.
Statewide, more than one million North Carolinians-nearly one of every eight citizens-is an active arts supporter. Arts participants are known to be involved citizens who are more inclined than the average person to vote and to help with community activities. North Carolina cultural volunteers donate between one day and two weeks annually-the equivalent of an additional 4,237 full-time employees.
The Travel Industry of America (TIA) and Smithsonian magazine recently named North Carolina as a top 10 cultural destination in the United States. Cultural tourists, who combine cultural, historic, and arts-related activities when they travel, have a lot to see and do when they visit North Carolina.
"Today's travelers want the one-of-a-kind experiences that North Carolina provides," said Maryanne Friend, Marketing and Cultural Tourism Director for the North Carolina Arts. "Happily, they take home great memories plus great craft, jewelry, and art purchases. Truly, the arts are 'just the ticket' to boost the North Carolina economy."
Another TIA study reports that cultural tourism is the fastest growing segment of the tourism industry, growing 13 percent between 1996 and 2002. Cultural travelers who visit Wake County spend more money and stay longer - one to three more nights, than other travelers; national numbers suggest this is an extra $175 per visit. These travelers are hungry to have authentic experiences at the places they visit, and schedule, on average, five cultural activities per trip.
North Carolina is also a place where creative people cluster, with creative dollars adding up to powerful effect. For example, according to surveys released in the last three years, the arts generated $26 million in Watauga County, $67 million in Wake County, $94 million in Mecklenburg County, and $60 million in Buncombe County.
For more information about the economic impact of the non-profit arts industry, including charts, illustrations, and a downloadable brochure go to
www.ncarts.org. For more information about the arts in Wake County, please visit
www.unitedarts.org.