[By Margaret Barlow, Photography by Ray Stanyard, Artifacts from Museum of Florida History, MOSH, and Arlington, Inc.]
The Arts and Cultural Industry—
Helping Florida Build a Diversified Economy
Florida's arts and cultural industry is one of the fastest growing in the state. The annual statewide economic impact of the industry has grown from $1.7 billion in 1997 to over $2.9 billion. According to a recent study released by the Florida Cultural Alliance, the industry now creates 28,302 fulltime equivalent jobs. An additional $147.5 million was spent on part-time, contracted jobs. Written by Dr. William Stronge, Professor of Economics at Florida Atlantic University, the study, Economic Impact of Florida's Arts and Cultural Industry documents the significant role the not-for-profit cultural industry plays in Florida's economy. Sherron Long, president of the Florida Cultural Alliance, says, "Throughout Florida, arts and cultural resources help revitalize communities, reform schools, attract tourists, improve student achievement, relocate and retain businesses, create jobs, improve our quality of life; and yes, without a doubt, diversify and strengthen our state's economy."
Dr. Stronge has conducted this economic impact study in four-year spans since 1989. The newest study documents that the arts industry is a tremendous growth industry, tripling in growth over the 12-year period. Based on data from fiscal year 2000-2001, the study provides information on the economic impact of 2,914 nonprofit cultural organizations and the cultural programs of 57 Florida colleges and universities. Performing arts organizations, museums and galleries, science museums and zoos, festivals, service and support organizations, presenting organizations, and cultural councils were among those studied. The programs of these organizations make up the major part of the Florida cultural industry.
Direct Spending by Arts and Cultural Organizations has Increased
Florida arts and cultural organizations (a small fraction of the state's entire arts and entertainment industry) expended $1.2 billion in FY 2001, of which $0.9 billion was spent by not-for-profit organizations and $0.3 billion was spent by colleges and universities on arts and cultural programs. The impact of this spending results in a much larger impact on the state's overall economy once ripple or multiplier effects are taken into account. Arts organizations pay their employees, purchase supplies, contract for services, and acquire assets within their communities. These actions, in turn, support local jobs, create household income, and generate revenues. When these multiplier effects are included, the Florida arts and cultural industry created $2.9 billion of gross state product in 2001, resulting in $877.8 million in income and 28,302 full-time jobs.
The Arts and Cultural Industry is a Growth Industry
Direct spending in the arts and cultural sector of Florida's economy increased strongly, rising from $0.7 billion in 1997 to $1.2 billion in 2001. As the arts and cultural sector of the Florida economy has expanded since 1989, its total economic impact has grown accordingly. In fact, the arts and cultural sector of the economy grew significantly more rapidly than did the state's economy as a whole. During this same time period, the Florida economy (as measured by gross state product) has only doubled, proving that the arts and cultural industry is indeed a leading sector of the state's economy.
The Arts and Cultural Industry Creates Jobs
In addition to the economic impact created through direct spending, the nonprofit arts and cultural industry makes a significant impact through the creation of jobs. This labor intensive industry relies on employees such as performers, artists, administrators, stagehands, designers, and technicians, to name just a few. The number of full-time-equivalent jobs supported by the arts and culture nearly doubled in 12 years, increasing from 14,832 in 1989 to 28,302 in 2001. These full-time-equivalent job figures do not include the large number of part-time workers ($147.5 million spent on part-time, contracted jobs) or volunteers this industry supports.
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