(BURLINGTON, NJ) -- The arts mean business. That is the message being delivered today by the ArtPride New Jersey Foundation, which has joined the Arts & Economic Prosperity® 5 - a national study measuring the economic impact of nonprofit arts and culture organizations and their audiences. The research study is being conducted by Americans for the Arts, the nation’s nonprofit organization advancing the arts and arts education. It will measure the impact of arts spending on local jobs, income paid to local residents and revenue generated to local and state governments.
ArtPride New Jersey's five regional partners - Cape May County, Cumberland County, Mercer County, Morris County and Newark - are among 300 study partners across all 50 states that will collect financial data about local nonprofit arts and culture organizations, such as theater and dance companies, museums, festivals and arts education organizations.
“We’re confident that Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 will show that when we support the arts in New Jersey, we are making an investment in a thriving industry,” said Ann Marie Miller, Director of Advocacy & Public Policy for ArtPride, “one that supports jobs and generates government revenue and is the cornerstone of tourism.”
Previous studies have shown that the nonprofit arts industry in New Jersey generates more than $1.5 billion each year. This total includes direct spending by arts organizations (payroll, goods and services) and related spending by visitors to cultural events (meals, lodging, parking). Combined, this activity also generates over $40 million each year in state income and sales taxes.
“Many people don’t realize the significant impact the arts have on the economy in New Jersey,” said Miller. “This study will make clear that the arts are an incredibly valuable industry to our communities - employing people locally, purchasing goods and services from local merchants and helping to drive tourism and economic development.”
According to Americans for the Arts’ 2010 national study, the nonprofit arts industry generated $135.2 billion in total economic activity and supported 4.1 million full-time equivalent jobs in that year, resulting in $22.3 billion in federal, state and local government revenues. Complete details about the fiscal year 2010 study are available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org/EconomicImpact.
“Our Arts & Economic Prosperity series demonstrates that the arts are an economic and employment powerhouse both locally and across the nation,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “Leaders who care about community and economic vitality can feel good about choosing to invest in the arts. Nationally as well as locally, the arts mean business.”
Americans for the Arts’ Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 study is supported by The Ruth Lilly Fund of Americans for the Arts. In addition, Americans for the Arts’ local and statewide study partners are contributing both time and a cost-sharing fee support to the study. For a full list of the nearly 300 Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 study partners, visit www.AmericansForTheArts.org/AEP5Partners.
About the ArtPride New Jersey Foundation
The ArtPride New Jersey Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) organization that promotes the value of the arts to New Jersey’s quality of life, education and economic vitality through research and a variety of programs and services. ArtPride is New Jersey’s largest arts service organization, representing hundreds of organizations of all sizes, across all disciplines and in all corners of the state. Learn more at www.ArtPrideNJ.com.
About Americans for the Arts
Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education in America. With offices in Washington, D.C. and New York City, it has a record of more than 50 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.
