This news release was issued by the Arts Council of Hillsborough County:

TAMPA, FL — The nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $433.2 million in annual economic activity in the Hillsborough County—supporting 14,962 full-time equivalent jobs and generating $51.9 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 in partnership with the Arts Council of Hillsborough County.

Results show that nonprofit arts and culture organizations spent $175.2 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 $156.2 million in household income for local residents and $21.4 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, it supports 4.6 million full-time equivalent jobs and generates $96.07 billion in household income.

“Tampa Bay is a vibrant, creative community. This study shows that our cultural institutions and creators are helping our economy grow and thrive – their economic impact and jobs tied to them are higher compared to other regions and the national average. I see every year during my Congressional Art Competition aimed at fostering the budding talents of our high school artists, how much further we can go by championing this industry. Tampa Bay will continue to attract National Endowment for the Art and Humanities grants to rev the economic engine found in arts and culture.” – U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, Florida's 14th Congressional District

“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.”

Arts Industry Boon for Local Businesses

In addition to spending by organizations, the nonprofit arts and culture industry leverages $258 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 Hillsborough County, these dollars support 7,196 full-time equivalent jobs and generate $30 million in local and state government revenues.

“As longtime patrons of the arts, we place immense value in art’s ability to convene, intrigue and delight. Art is a universal good, transcendent of countless divisions. As we work toward a more vibrant Tampa Bay, the arts must be a central priority.” – Jeff and Penny Vinik

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 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.

The Arts Council of Hillsborough County is the local umbrella arts agency that provides a unified voice for all the cultural organizations and activities in Tampa and Hillsborough County and promotes the good news about the cultural vitality of our community to a national audience. Our efforts play a vital role in making Tampa and Hillsborough County more appealing to new residents, tourists, and employers looking for a new home.

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