Communities rich in art and culture no doubt attract other economic investments and are fun places to live. But art and culture accomplish so much more – they are an expression of what it means to be fully human, they bind us together as fellow travelers, lift our spirits, and allow us to realize our creative potential.
– Sherry Magill, Ph.D., President, Jessie Ball du Pont Fund

CREATIVE INDUSTRIES

There is a whole new class of workers in the US that is 38 million strong: the Creative Class.
–Dr. Richard Florida

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

All great cities of commerce are also great cities of culture – there are NO  exceptions.
–Rosa Sugranes, Small Business Council of America Award Winner of the Year

Arts and culture organizations create $5 in revenue for the public sector for every $1 that federal, state, and local governments invest in arts and culture.

$196.7M in revenue was generated to state government by arts and culture in 2008.

$249.7M was generated to local government by arts and culture in the same year.

88,326 FTE jobs in Florida were supported by the arts and culture in 2008.

–Americans for the Arts, “Arts and Economic Prosperity III: The Economic Impact of Nonprofit Arts and Culture Organizations and Their Audiences in the State of Florida”

Arts and culture are vital to the future of Florida. Count these as investments in community development, as investments in a quality workforce and an innovation economy. Arts and culture is the ingredient that not only enriches experiences but attracts others, some as visitors but many to stay.
– Tony Carvajal, Executive Vice President, Florida Chamber Foundation

The statistics don’t lie. With nearly 75 percent of visitors to the Sunshine State participating in cultural activities and spending twice as much as local attendees while they visit, it is clear that if we want Florida to remain a premiere tourist destination, we must continue to invest in the arts.
– George LeMieux, February 2009

HEALING ARTS

Excerpted from The Ledger, September 9, 2010

According to Julie A. Boon, the Arts in Medicine coordinator for the Watson Clinic Foundation, participation in the arts “provides a bridge to a more positive healthy life.”

“Research has proven that the Arts – music, poetry, creativity – can help people reduce symptoms, alleviate pain, improve one’s attitude and their quality of life,” Boon said.

In the Arts in Medicine program, patients may engage in painting, journaling, crafting and music therapy, which Boon said aids relaxation, stress reduction, and building a positive attitude towards healing.

TOURISM

74.9% of visitors to Florida participate in cultural activities.

Florida’s cultural tourists spend more than tourists not attending cultural events ($631 to $457).
–From Florida TaxWatch

57.8M people attended arts and cultural events in Florida in 2008.

Cultural visitors spend an average of $57.49 on event-related expenses, more than twice as much as local attendees.

–Americans for the Arts, “Arts and Economic Prosperity III: The Economic Impact of Nonprofit Arts and Culture Organizations and Their Audiences in the State of Florida”