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Study: Arts a $25.6M industry in Valley
By GUY D’ASTOLFO
YOUNGSTOWN
Arts and culture in the Mahoning Valley generates $25.6 million in economic activity each year while supporting the equivalent of 930 jobs, according to a study.
Power of the Arts, a coalition of the area’s arts and entertainment venues, conducted the study in fiscal year 2010 by surveying 28 Valley venues as well as close to 1,000 patrons who were attending events. The results of the study — part of a national effort conducted by arts advocacy group Americans for the Arts — were revealed Monday.
The goal of the study is to quantify the economic clout wielded by arts and culture.
“We now can validate with real numbers what we have only assumed up to this point, which is the arts in the Mahoning Valley are a major driver of the regional economy,” said Bryan DePoy, co-chairman of the POA advisory council and dean of fine and performing arts at Youngstown State University. “Everyone wins when we support arts and culture, which can aid in business attraction and retention, in addition to improving the overall quality of life for the Valley’s residents,” he said.
Valley arts groups directly spent $13.1 million, with patrons adding an additional $12.5 million in economic activity. The study also found that the local arts industry returned $2,524,000 in revenue to local and state coffers for the year in taxes and fees.
The study did not break down spending at each venue, but DePoy said the Butler Institute of American Art, the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra and YSU were among the leaders. Covelli Centre also was a major source of entertainment spending, although many events at the downtown arena were not included in the study because they are sports or not arts-related.
Per-person spending was $18.37 per event. That figure includes things such as refreshments, meals, souvenirs, clothing, transportation, child care and lodging, but does not include the price of the ticket. The Mahoning Valley lagged somewhat behind similar-sized areas in this category, where spending was $21.90 per person.
Roughly 22 percent of those surveyed came from outside Mahoning and Trumbull counties. These nonlocal patrons spent $31.60 apiece, compared to $14.60 by Valley residents.
Tony Paglia, vice president of government affairs for the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, said a vibrant arts community is a drawing card for company executives looking to relocate. “They look at quality of life when selecting a site,” said Paglia, “and an exciting and vibrant place to live.” The chamber markets the Valley’s arts offerings when trying to lure new business, he said.
Mahoning Valley arts and culture organizations that participated in the study were Art Outreach Gallery, Ballet Western Reserve, Butler Institute of American Art, Community Artworks, Covelli Centre, Fine Arts Council of Trumbull County, Loghurst Farmhouse and Museum, Mahoning Commons Association, Mahoning Valley Historical Society, McDonough Museum of Arts, Mill Creek MetroParks, Move Over Broadway Productions, Oakland Center for the Arts, OH WOW! The Roger and Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science and Technology, Oakland Center for the Arts, Opera Western Reserve, Packard Music Hall Foundation for the Arts, Seraphim Chorus, Henry H. Stambaugh Auditorium, Trumbull Art Gallery, Trumbull New Theatre, Junior Military Band, Warren Symphony Society, YMCA of Youngstown and Davis Family YMCA, Youngstown Playhouse, Youngstown State University College of Fine and Performing Arts, Youngstown Symphony Society and YWCA of Youngstown (Women Artists — A Celebration).
“I was amazed to see how strong the impact numbers looked in real dollar terms, especially when considering that they do not even represent all of the nonprofit arts and culture organizations in the Valley, nor the for-profit entities such as music cafes and production companies,” said Eric Planey, co-chairman of the POA advisory council and vice president at the Regional Chamber. “The revitalization of the Mahoning Valley demands a vibrancy that only these institutions can deliver.”
Nationally, the study reveals that the nonprofit arts industry produced $135.2 billion in economic activity during 2010. This spending — $61.1 billion by nonprofit arts and culture organizations plus an additional $74.1 billion by their audiences — supported 4.1-million full-time equivalent jobs and generated $22.3 billion in federal, state and local tax revenues.