Author: Research Associates

Publication Year: 1979

Media Type: Directory

Summary:

During 1979, arts organizations employed 4,206 with a payroll of $36,422,895 and spent $46,052.784 on goods and services. The arts is a general term which groups performing arts (music, dance, theatre and opera), visual arts (painting, sculpture, architecture, design, crafts, media, photography, literature, and folk arts), and the arts service organizations into a single reference. The impact that the arts, using this broad definition, has upon the citizens of Louisiana is an important contributor to the quality of life which is the hallmark of the state. This quality of life is a mixture of economic well-being and cultural availability, with the mix varying to suit the needs and aspirations of the individual.

Abstract:

During 1979, arts organizations employed 4,206 with a payroll of $36,422,895 and spent $46,052.784 on goods and services. The arts is a general term which groups performing arts (music, dance, theatre and opera), visual arts (painting, sculpture, architecture, design, crafts, media, photography, literature, and folk arts), and the arts service organizations into a single reference. The impact that the arts, using this broad definition, has upon the citizens of Louisiana is an important contributor to the quality of life which is the hallmark of the state. This quality of life is a mixture of economic well-being and cultural availability, with the mix varying to suit the needs and aspirations of the individual.

In view of this mix variation, the impact can be tangibly measured only in dollar terms derived from spending patterns. Dollars cannot measure the value of the arts imagined by most citizens who view art in cultural and educational terms relating to specific experiences which have added zest and inspiration to their daily lives. Examples of dollar measurements and value measurements include the following: Dollar measurements: Direct expenditures by participants for admissions, purchases of art, contributions, and other direct support. Direct income to arts organizations from other sources, principally federal and private foundation grants.

Expenditures of the above income which directly impacts the local and state economy and which begins a cycle of spending or snowball effect. Such expenditures include: salaries and wages of employees spent locally. Fees paid to performers and artists which is spent locally. Local purchases for goods and services. Capital investments. Expenditures of out-of-state/out-of-city attendees to arts activities for food, lodging, transportation, entertainment (tourist expenditures of those tourists attracted to the state or area by art activities) which expenditures have their own spending cycle. The industrial inducement factor attracting new industry which is provided by the cultural atmosphere of the area.

Values: Quality-of-life value of the community involvement factor resulting from volunteer work with an increasingly broad circle of friends and participation with neighbors (near and far) in arts activities. Quality-of-life value of the education enhancement of the individual, particularly as perceived by parents for their children. The quality-of-life value of an arts experience which broadens our horizon and gives meaning to our aspirations.

Direct public benefits resulting from arts activities are measured in terms of tax revenues for the area and the state which are generated by the several cycles of spending. Indirect public benefits accrues from the educational experience of the citizenry taking part in arts activities and the resulting increase in their productivity and awareness. While a direct relationship between an increase in this cultural experience and the cost of public services has not been documented, there is an obvious correlation which cannot be overlooked in any assessment of the impact of the arts on a community.

Direct economic benefits to the community include those direct expenditures which impact business and commerce of the area. Tax benefits are included, since the area's tax burden is reduced as a result of the tax income from this source. Indirect economic benefits result from the increased productivity of management and labor in a cultural environment.

Organization of the report: The input for the calculation of economic input was provided by a state-wide inventory of arts organizations, groups and individuals. The first section of the report contains the impact the work of those organizations have on the community and state in both tangible and intangible terms. The second section of this report contains a Directory of art organizations. An illustration of the value of a major arts experience is presented to direct attention to the immediate benefits which are generated through such a promotion. The last section of the report contains a series of recommendations which were presented to the survey teams during their face to face quest for the information necessary to the purposes of this study.

CONTENTS
Preface.
Introduction.
Overview.
Organization of study.
Methodology.
Directory of arts organizations.
Economic impact.
Employment and payroll of arts organizations.
Goods and services expenditures of arts organizations.
Public expenditures for arts activities.
Expenditures for other community activities and services by attendees of arts activities.
Economic impact of spending.
Tax revenues resulting from direct and indirect spending resulting from arts activities.
Case study.
Impact of a major arts activity.
Recommendations.
Appendix:
     A. Survey form.
     B. Survey information by category.

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: Economic Impact