"Trying to be preemptive, the city [Boston] in 1985 enacted a policy on housing for artists. It called for new zoning and the inclusion of studio space in public and private developments. But by 1988 the Massachusetts Council on the Arts and Humanities said a space shortage was having 'a deadening effect' on the state's cultural life."
The Boston Sunday GLOBE, February 8, 1998

"POST-URBAN RENEWAL CONVENTIONAL WISDOM..CALL IN THE ARTISTS...What is now becoming another cliche--the artist as downtown savior. The phenomenon of artists burrowing in and eventually reviving cast-off sections of cities has been observed for decades. The idea of actually encouraging it as a matter of municipal policy has gone from daring to commonplace. Bring on the artists, cry politicians in cities all over the country--their furrowed brows, their strange mating habits, their leftist politics. Eventually posh restaurants and boutiques will follow."
-Alex Marshall:
METROPOLIS, 11/93

ECONOMIC IMPACT RESULTS ANNOUNCED. Study finds $2.56 BILLION impact of MA not-for-profit Cultural Industry.

What would happen if every cultural organization in the commonwealth, all 3,029 of them, disappeared overnight? In the blink of an eye, no more museums, music schools, or concert halls; no more nature centers, theaters, or dance troupes?

What would happen to the hotels, restaurants, tour bus companies, and others that depend on audiences for their livelihoods? And what about the businesses and workers who choose to locate in Massachusetts, in large part because of our cultural resource?

We may never be able to quantify just how much cultural organizations improve the quality of life in Massachusetts, but we can quantify their economic impact. According to a new report commissioned by the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the New England Foundation for the Arts:

• The not-for-profit cultural industry in Massachusetts had a total economic impact of $2.56 billion in 1996. Direct spending by cultural organizations equalled $1.44 billion; indirect spending equalled $1.12 billion.
• Cultural organizations provided 45,368 jobs (13,909 full-time).
• Cultural organizations collected or paid $59 million in federal income and social security taxes, and $17 million in state income and sales taxes.
• More than 45 million people attended cultural events over the course of the year--more than the attendance of professional sports events in the state.
• Just under 30% of total admissions were non-state residents--underscoring the enormous impact of cultural tourism in the state.
• Volunteerism continues to prove vital to cultural organizations--98,350 volunteers contributed 2.1 million unpaid hours of assistance.

The study was conducted by Dr Gregory Wassall, Professor of Economics at Northeastern University, who also oversaw similar studies in 1978 and 1988. The latest study shows marked growth in all areas--even though it did not include an estimate of related audience spending (money spent by people attending a cultural event on restaurants, parking, or other services).

Based on audience attendance figures in the new report, and on previous studies of audience spending patterns, an estimated $1 billion was generated by audience spending in 1996. [This estimated $1 billion was not calculated as part of the $2.56 billion total economic impact in the new study.]

Business leaders not surprised
The figures in the new economic impact report come as no surprise to leaders of the business community.

"Massachusetts is blessed with a wide variety of cultural institutions, which are attractive to residents and visitors alike. Besides helping the Commonwealth offer a quality of life which attracts and maintains an educated workforce, our cultural industry fosters creativity and cultural diversity in a period when our economy is becoming more competitive in the world marketplace," said John Gould, president and CEO of Associated Industries of Massachusetts, an employer association of more than 4,800 companies and employers statewide.

"Culture is a vital part of community life, making our communities more attractive to families and businesses, supporting and nurturing community values, and creating a spirit of volunteerism and civic participation that moves us forward," said Geoffrey Beckwith, executive director of the Massachusetts Municipal Association.

Cultural Tourism is Big Business
Cultural tourism is especially big business in Massachusetts. Tourism is the state's third largest industry, and the state's cultural assets are among its strongest drawing cards.

"Our theaters, concert halls and museums attract thousands of visitors each year to our city. In addition to improving the quality of life, this cultural vibrancy contributes in a significant way to Boston's economy through jobs, taxes and spending. Attendance at arts events generates related commerce for hotels, restaurants, retail stores, galleries, and more," said Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino.

The new economic impact study clearly demonstrates cultural programs in Massachusetts provide thousands of jobs, produce millions of dollars in tax revenues, attract millions of visitors, help create an environment where highly educated people want to work and live.

For anyone interested in the bottom line, the numbers are hard to ignore.
-Massachusetts Cultural Council

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For a copy of
"The Economic Impact of Massachusetts' Not-for-Profit Cultural Industry, 1996 Study"
contact the
Massachusetts Cultural Council
120 Boylston Street, 2nd floor
Boston MA 02116-4600
617 727-3668
FAX: 617 727-0044
Email:mcc@art.state.ma.us

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