Local economic impact of the arts tops $89M

The latest Arts & Economic Prosperity Study reveals direct economic activity of $89.2 million in 2022 for the Springfield area arts and culture community.

The local results of the nationwide study, the sixth of its kind by nonprofit Americans for the Arts, is over three times the economic impact found in the previous study completed in 2015 and released in 2017, where the total was $26.9 million. The study is conducted locally by the Springfield Regional Arts Council Inc.

The newest study represents a reset, establishing a new benchmark in the AEP study series, according to a release from Americans for the Arts.

Americans for the Arts changed its approach by expanding the study inclusion criteria from “arts” to “arts and culture.” It also implemented a new data collection methodology, asked partners to utilize new community engagement tools and added social impact questions to the survey instruments, among other changes.

The newest study is based on a collection of more than 1,000 audience surveys and data from arts organizations. The direct economic activity of $89.2 million breaks down to organization spending of $28.5 million and audience spending – on restaurants, hotels, retail, parking and the like – of $60.7 million.

The arts supported 1,160 full-time jobs and paid $50.9 million in personal income to area residents, according to a news release from SRAC. Local tax revenue associated with arts events was $2 million, with state tax revenue at $2.4 million and federal tax revenue at $9.1 million.

The previous study was conducted in 2015 and released in 2017. At that time and under the previous methodology, 1,065 full-time jobs were found to be sustained by the Springfield arts and culture sector, with $20.5 million in resident household income generated. Spending by arts organizations was $9.8 million and audience spending was $17.1 million.

Statewide, the impact of the arts amounted to $1.7 billion, according to the latest study.

Read more in the Oct. 23 issue of Springfield Business Journal.

Ozzie Awards
The Springfield Regional Arts Council held its 38th annual celebration of the arts, the Ozzie Awards, on Oct. 14 at the Springfield-Branson National Airport.

The pinnacle honor, dubbed the Bucky Bowman Lifetime Achievement Award, went to Randy Russell. According to a news release from SRAC, Russell is a longtime artist, mentor and advocate.

“He has consistently demonstrated a profound commitment to the arts, enriching the lives of countless individuals through his creative endeavors and tireless support of the local arts scene,” a statement from SRAC stated.

Russell has worked with Springfield Public Schools, the Any Given Child program of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, which granted him its Humanitarian Award in 2012.

Winners were named in four other categories:

• Joshua Best, Arts Ambassador.
• Judith Enyeart Reynolds School of the Arts at Missouri State University, Arts Champion.
• Steve Willis, Excellence in Arts Education.
• Larry Askren, Volunteer of the Year.

Finalists in the categories were Niki Kiruki and Gretchen Teague, Excellence in Arts Education; Neosho Arts Council and Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Arts Champion; David Harrison and Samuel G. Knox, Arts Ambassador; and Genevieve Kroenke and Donald Smith, Volunteer of the Year.