Walnut Creek Nonprofit Arts, Culture Industry Generates $41.5M

From the City of Walnut Creek: The nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $41.5 million in annual economic activity in Walnut Creek, supporting 1,036 full-time equivalent jobs and generating $3.6 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.

The detailed results will be presented to the City Council on Tuesday, July 18 at the Regular Meeting at 6pm.
Results show that nonprofit arts and culture organizations in Walnut Creek spent $21.1 million during fiscal year 2015. This spending is far-reaching: organizations pay employees, purchase supplies, contract for services and acquire assets within their community.

“The Arts & Economic Prosperity Study reinforces what I’ve long believed – the Lesher Center for the Arts and all of our arts programs are an essential part of what makes Walnut Creek a wonderful place to live, work and visit,” says Walnut Creek Mayor Rich Carlston. “Not only do people attend and participate in our arts offerings, but the arts are also a reason why people and businesses choose to make Walnut Creek their home.”
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.

“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 generates $20.4 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. In the City of Walnut Creek, cultural attendees spent an average of $31.90 per person, per event as a direct result of their attendance at an arts event, excluding the cost of event admission.

"The arts in Walnut Creek are an integral part of the fabric of our community,” says Jay Hoyer, President of the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau. “Not only do the arts make our community more interesting, fun and beautiful; they also help our economy and economic well-being."

About the Study

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. For a full list of the communities who participated in the Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 study, visit www.AmericansForTheArts.org/AEP5Partners.
To access the full Walnut Creek Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 report, visit walnut-creek.org/artsandrec.

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