PROVIDENCE - Mayor David N. Cicilline announced today that the City of Providence was a leader among 156 communities and regions (116 cities and counties, 35 multi- county regions and 5 states,) in a recent study of the economic impact of the arts and culture industry in America, Arts and Economic Prosperity III.

“The Arts and Culture Industry has had a profound impact upon our nation’s cities, and nowhere is that more evident than in our own capital city,” said Mayor David N. Cicilline.

“The economic vitality and social vibrancy of Providence is inextricably linked to the arts, and this study clearly demonstrates what anecdotal evidence has shown all along – in Providence, the arts truly mean business.”

The Mayor released the results of that comparative survey that studied 6,080 arts organizations across the country in all 50 states, revealing that the industry generated 5.7 million jobs and $166.2 billion nationwide. This spending created $7.9 billion in local government tax revenues, $9.1 billion in state revenues and $12.6 billion in federal revenues.

In Providence, the impact has been equally dramatic: looking at 38 area arts and culture organizations they determined that the local arts industry generated:

• $111.81 million in annual economic activity, four times the rate of cities our size (100,000 – 250,000) and more than twice the national average

• more than three (of 16) study areas with populations larger than 1,000,000 people – including Fairfax County, Virginia.; Suffolk County, NY and Riverside County, Calif.

• supported 2,759 FTE jobs, 3 ½ times the national average

• generated $55.56 million in annual household income, twice the national average

• $11.08 million was delivered in 2005 in state and local revenue (taxes and fees)

• arts organizations are spending more than $40 million annually, and their audiences almost twice that with $71.18 million – which is six times that of similar size cities and four times the national average

• visitors enjoying the arts are spending an average of $27.79 per person/ per event (excluding the cost of admission) and out-of-towners are spending $40.19 on average per event

• additionally, 1,587 volunteers donated 73,454 hours of work – worth another $1.33 million annually in services

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  “This study is a myth buster,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts, in releasing the national findings on Wednesday. “Most Americans understand that the arts improve our quality of life. This study demonstrates that the arts are an industry that stimulates the economy in cities and towns across the country. A vibrant arts and culture industry helps local businesses thrive,” he said.

  
  

  “By demonstrating that investing in the arts and culture yields economic benefits, Arts & Economic Prosperity III lays to rest a common misconception: that cities support the arts and culture at the expense of local economic development. In fact, they are investing in an industry that supports jobs, generates government revenue, and is a cornerstone of tourism,” noted the Americans for the Arts in their conclusion of the Providence report.

  Nina Ozlu Esq., Chief Counsel for Government and Public Affairs at Americans for the Arts, shared the podium with the Mayor, this morning, in presenting the national findings at the first-ever breakfast for citywide arts and culture organizations. The report detailed the findings by professional economists, who conducted the survey and analysis. (The Providence report may be found on the City’s website: www.providenceri.com)

  
  

  James V. DeRentis, Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer for BankRI, also participated in the morning news event and spoke about the industry’s role in the city’s economy.

  
  

  At the conclusion of the Mayor’s remarks, he announced the formation of a team of business and government leaders to “further develop my strategies for strengthening our arts economy,” and asked DeRentis to take on the challenge of spearheading that work, with Department of Art, Culture and Tourism Director Lynne McCormack.

  
  

  “When I took office in 2003, one of my first actions was to set forth a process to establish the Department of Art, Culture and Tourism. Over the past three and a half years, this tiny department has worked diligently to leverage resources, strengthen neighborhoods, inform economic development strategies and work with you all to drive our city’s arts agenda…We cannot afford to be complacent and think we have finished our work with this industry. Our city’s future depends on the success of the Arts and Cultural Economy,” the Mayor concluded.