Nonprofit arts and culture have a powerful ability to attract and hold dollars within the community. Despite the obstacles presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the arts have played a pivotal role in economic rejuvenation, fostering community cohesion, and stimulating local economies. So how do we measure its impact? For the first time the City of Coronado through their Cultural Arts Commission participated in a national study to measure the impact of the arts in Coronado.
The newly released Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) is an economic and social impact study of the nation’s nonprofit arts and culture industry conducted by Americans for the Arts every five years. The study shows us that when we invest in arts and culture, we strengthen our economy and build more livable communities. Spending by arts and culture audiences generates valuable commerce to local merchants, a value-add that few other industries can compete with.
In the City of Coronado, 29 of the 30 total eligible nonprofit arts and culture organizations identified by the Coronado Cultural Arts Commission provided the financial and attendance information required for the study analysis—an overall participation rate of 96.7%. Audience surveys were collected by Arts Commissioners and volunteers at 16 different arts and culture events throughout the community in 2022.
Coronado’s nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $39.2M in economic activity in 2022, according to AEP6. That economic activity–$13.9M in spending by nonprofit arts and culture organizations and $25.3M in event-related spending by their audiences supported 616 jobs and generated $10.3M in local, state, and federal government revenue.
In San Diego County, an unprecedented seven municipalities and two cultural districts coordinated efforts, representing over 60% of the county's population. AEP6 reveals that San Diego County’s nonprofit arts and culture sector is a $1.3 billion industry—one that supports 19,771 jobs and generates $320,693,871 in local, state, and federal government revenue. Listed by population, the participants were: City of San Diego and Balboa Park Cultural District, Oceanside and Oceanside Cultural District, Escondido, Carlsbad, Encinitas, National City, and Coronado.
Nationally, the Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) study reveals that America’s nonprofit arts and culture sector is a $151.7 billion industry—one that supports 2.6 million jobs and generates $29.1 billion in government revenue.
“Arts and culture organizations have a powerful ability to attract and hold dollars in the community longer. They employ people locally, purchase goods and services from nearby businesses, and produce the authentic cultural experiences that are magnets visitors, tourists, and new residents,” said Nolen V. Bivens, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “When we invest in nonprofit arts and culture, we strengthen our economy and build more livable communities.”
“While quantifying the economic impact of the arts in Coronado was the key goal of the study, and demonstrated the monetary value the arts bring to the community, what truly impressed me was the level of volunteer support in Coronado - in 2022, over 2000 volunteers donated over 85,000 hours to our non-profit organizations. This is a key contributor to the fabric that brings our community together and makes it a great place to live,” noted Cultural Arts Commissioner Chair Deb Kaller.
AEP6 demonstrates the significant economic and social benefits that arts and culture bring to communities, states, and the nation. By measuring arts and culture’s wide-ranging impact, public and private sector leaders can work together to secure funding and arts-friendly policies that shape more vibrant and equitable communities.
The full report, a map of the 373 study regions, and a two-page economic impact summary for Coronado can be found at AEP6.AmericansForTheArts.org.
For more information, follow @Americans4Arts.
The Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 study was conducted by Americans for the Arts, the nation's leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education. It was supported by The Ruth Lilly Endowment Fund of Americans for the Arts. For a full list of the communities who participated in the Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 study, visit AEP6.AmericansForTheArts.org.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kelly Purvis
Coronado Sr. Management Analyst | Arts and Culture
kpurvis@coronado.ca.us
619-522-2633