The Arts & Economic Prosperity III Calculator for Atlanta Impressive quotes from both public and private sector leaders

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT: Myra Reeves 404-817-6767
Embargoed until June 6, 2007; 11 a.m.
Atlanta, Georgia

The City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs announced today the findings of an economic impact study.

Recently, through our partnership with Americans for the Arts, the Office of Cultural Affairs received the findings of an economic impact report, titled Arts & Economic Prosperity III: The Economic Impact of Nonprofit Arts and Culture Organizations and Their Audiences in the City of Atlanta, GA.

Arts & Economic Prosperity III provides compelling new evidence that the nonprofit arts and culture are a significant industry in the City of Atlanta, one that generates $274.8 million in local economic activity. This spending, $113.94 million by nonprofit arts and culture organizations and an additional $160.87 million in event-related spending by their audiences, supports 8,211 full-time equivalent jobs, generates $167.17 million in household income to local residents, and delivers $27.07 million in local and state government revenue. This economic impact study sends a strong signal that when we support the arts, we not only enhance our quality of life, but we also invest in the City of Atlanta's economic well-being, said the Commissioner of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, Dianne Harnell Cohen.

The report provides context for the findings by demonstrating a comparison to the median findings for similarly populated communities and to the national median With a 46 percent response rate (46 of 99 total eligible non-profit Atlanta organizations participating), Atlanta ranks 3rd in the U.S., among peer sized cities in terms of the most arts jobs. The top cities were Minneapolis/St. Paul and Miami. The 34-page, comprehensive report contains economic impact findings for the City of Atlanta, as well as the following:

• An introduction by Robert L. Lynch, President and CEO, Americans for the Arts
• A section dedicated to the study's background and methodology
• Frequently Asked Questions and Frequently Used Terms
• An Acknowledgments section that lists the responding organizations

"We have always known that the arts and cultural organizations contribute to the quality of life, but the findings in the report show that the arts also significantly impact the economic vitality of our City," said Office of Cultural Affairs Director, Camille Love.

Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. With offices in Washington, DC, and New York City, it has a record of more than 45 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.

The City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA), a division of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, established in 1974, OCA encourages and supports Atlanta's cultural resources. In order to improve the social fabric and quality of life for Atlanta's citizens and visitors, the Office is committed to nurturing excellence and diversity in the city's artistic offerings.

Economic Impact Study