Greater Fox Cities Region's Nonprofit Arts and Culture Industry Generates $58.4 Million in Economic Activity

The nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $58.4 million in annual economic activity in the Greater Fox Cities Region supporting 1,613 full-time equivalent jobs and generating $5.5 million in local and state government revenues, according to the Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 national economic impact study. The most comprehensive economic impact study of the nonprofit arts and culture industry ever conducted in the United States, Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 was conducted by Americans for the Arts, the nation's leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education and in local partnership with the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center.

The nonprofit arts and culture industry leverages $18.3 million in event-related spending by its audiences. As a result of attending a cultural event, attendees often eat dinner in local restaurants, pay for parking, buy gifts and souvenirs, and pay a babysitter. What's more, attendees from out of town often stay overnight in a local hotel. In the Greater Fox Cities Region, these dollars support 1,613 full-time equivalent jobs and generate $5.5 million in local and state government revenues.

The study found residents spent an average of $24.52 in addition to the price of a ticket per event, while non-residents spent $43.89 in addition to the price of a ticket per event in the community. In total, throughout the survey period, arts attendees spent more than $18.2 million visiting the Fox Cities.

"The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center draws visiting patrons and artists to our community from all around the nation and world. The touring artists and audience members from throughout the region generate a significant amount of economic activity when they stay overnight in our hotels, eat out, buy gas or shop," said Fox Cities P.A.C. president Maria Van Laanen. "A strong and vibrant arts region also helps our businesses attract and retain top talent and on a more personal level, creates a more compassionate, understanding and inspired community where people love to live, work and play."

Results of the study also show that nonprofit arts and culture organizations spent $40.1 million during fiscal year 2015. This spending is far-reaching: organizations pay employees, purchase supplies, contract for services and acquire assets within their community. Those dollars, in turn, generated $32.4 million in household income for local residents and $5.5 million in local and state government revenues.

Nationwide, the Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 reveals that the nonprofit arts industry produces $166.3 billion in economic activity every year, resulting in $27.5 billion in federal, state and local tax revenues. In addition and supports 4.6 million full-time equivalent jobs.

"This study 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. "A vibrant arts and culture industry helps local businesses thrive and helps local communities become stronger and healthier places to live. 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."

The Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 study was conducted by Americans for the Arts and supported by The Ruth Lilly Fund of Americans for the Arts. Americans for the Arts' local, regional, and statewide project partners, including the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, contributed both time and financial support to the study. Financial information from organizations was collected in partnership with DataArts, using a new online survey interface. For a full list of the communities who participated in the Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 study, visit www.AmericansForTheArts.org/AEP5Partners.

The impact of the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center
This most recent study from the Americans for the Arts shows that the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center generated economic activity of $12.9 million in the 2015-16 Season. This economic activity is up from a yearly average of $11.9 million since the last Americans for the Arts survey in 2012.

The study found that the Center generated $423,661 in local and state government revenue. The Center supports 459 full-time equivalent positions in our community.

Participating organizations
The following nonprofit arts organizations participated in this year's Americans for the Arts study in the Greater Fox Cities Region:
Appleton Area School District, Appleton Boychoir, Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass, Chilton Area Performing Arts & Calumet County Community Theatre, Kimberly Community Band, Lawrence University Academy of Music, Embroiderers Guild of America - Fox Valley Chapter, Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra, Fox Cities Building for the Arts/Trout Museum of Art, Fox Valleyaires Barbershop Chorus, History Museum at the Castle, Oshkosh Grand Opera House, newVoices, New Horizons Band, Paper Industry Hall of Fame, UW-Fox Valley Theatre, Valley Academy for the Arts, Weis Earth Science Museum.

ABOUT THE FOX CITIES PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts and cultural education organization located in downtown Appleton, provides a premier venue for live performing arts. Since 2002, the Center has proudly served as a gathering place for the community to engage in educational opportunities while enhancing a greater understanding and appreciation of life through the live performing arts. The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center - Where the Arts Come Alive!