Report Shows Culture Means Capital in Broward County

The results are in. Arts and culture in Broward County account for $414 million in spending.

Released on June 17, the Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 (AEP5) Report documents the economic impact of the nonprofit arts and Cultural Industry. Conducted by Americans for the Arts, the nation's nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America, Broward County was one of 341 study regions across the country.

In 2015, Broward's nonprofit arts and cultural organizations spent $148.5 million, which leveraged a remarkable $265.7 million in additional spending by their audiences.

The study also concludes that Broward County's arts sector accounts for 11,078 full-time jobs and generates $40.1 million in local and state government revenue. This spending directly impacts local business such as restaurants, hotels, parking garages and retail stores.

"The data is clear. The arts are not a charity; they are an industry," said Earl Bosworth, Director, Broward Cultural Division. "While they support a quality of life that we all know and appreciate; the arts are also a significant economic driver in Broward County."

The impact of spending by nonprofit arts and cultural organizations is far reaching. 63% of nonresident survey respondents indicated that the primary purpose of their visit to Broward County was "specifically to attend this arts/cultural event." Nonresident attendees also spent an average of 66% more than local attendees. This finding demonstrates the power of the arts to attract visitors to the community - a vibrant arts and culture industry helps local businesses thrive.

"Understanding and acknowledging the incredible economic impact of nonprofit arts and culture organizations, we must always remember their fundamental value. They foster beauty, creativity, originality, and vitality. The arts inspire us, soothe us, provoke us, involve us, and connect us. But they also create jobs and contribute to the economy," said Robert L. Lynch, President and CEO, Americans for the Arts.

View Broward County's full report here; or study highlights on this page here.

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Broward Cultural Division is a local arts agency, one of thousands across the U.S. providing financial, technical and marketing assistance to artists and arts organizations. Broward County has nearly 1.9 million residents, 15.4 million visitors, 10,000 artists, 6,291 arts-related businesses employing 23,498 people, 823 not-for-profit cultural organizations and 31 cities, some of which operate their own arts councils and public art programs. Visit our website and follow us @BrowardArts on Twitter and Facebook.