EUGENE

Arts and culture spending surpassed $124 million in Eugene in 2022, according to the just released Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) report.

The AEP study is conducted every five years by Americans for the Arts, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education. This is the third time Eugene has participated by collecting surveys for the AEP study. The Arts and Business Alliance of Eugene (ABAE) in partnership with Lane Arts Council and City of Eugene gathered 975 surveys from community members attending arts events and received 89 comprehensive surveys from local arts organizations. In conducting the assessment, ABAE attended over 60 distinct events hosted by 45 different organizations.

When people attend cultural events, their spending extends beyond tickets. They make an entire evening of it, dining at local restaurants, paying for parking, and patronizing nearby businesses, resulting in a substantial financial boost for the community. On average, each attendee spends $29.87 per event, not including ticket cost.

The AEP6 study revealed the following key insights:

  • Investment in the arts and culture sector enhances community livability. It’s where innovative businesses are incubated, nighttime economies flourish, and genuine cultural experiences attract visitors, thus boosting local tourism.
  • A vibrant arts and culture scene keeps resident spending local. In the survey, 41% of local residents said they would travel to another community if similar arts and cultural activities were not available here. Total attendance at events in Eugene surpassed 1.1 million, with more than 13% coming from outside the local area.
  • 79% of nonlocal attendees travel specifically for arts events. The allure of arts and culture brings people from outside the community, providing a significant economic boost. Vibrant arts and culture communities attract visitors who spend money and bolster local businesses. Nonlocal attendees spend an average of $68.73 per person, double that of their local counterparts.

FLORENCE

Study shows the arts have a $7.3 million economic impact in the Florence region.

Florence, OR also participated in the Arts & Economic Prosperity Study-6 (AEP6) collecting nearly 1,000 surveys from audience members as well as surveys from 15 regional arts and culture organizations. The Florence Regional Arts Alliance and the AEP6 steering committee hosted a standing room only community celebration on November 8, 2023, at the Florence Events Center, where the results of the year long study were revealed. AEP6 steering committee members included Kristin Anderson (Florence Regional Arts Alliance), Jo Beaudreau (BeauxArts Fine Art Materials & Gallery), Maree Beers (Children’s Repertory Of Oregon Workshops), Jesse Dolin (Oregon Coast Visitors Association) Bettina Hannigan (Florence Area Chamber of Commerce), Susy Lacer (Siuslaw Vision) and Harlen Springer (Oregon Arts Commission). AEP6 was supported by Florence Regional Arts Alliance, Oregon Arts Commission, Travel Oregon, and Oregon Coast Visitors Association,

“This data on the actual economic impact of arts and culture events in the Florence Region is impressive,” said Randy Cohen, Americans for the Arts Vice President of Research and featured speaker at the event. “Each audience member spent $65 per person on local businesses when they came to an event – not including the cost of the ticket!”

The reflected survey data showed average dollar amounts spent at local restaurants, hotels, and retail shops, as well as on transportation, supplies, and childcare.

“118 jobs are supported by arts and culture organizations and events in the Florence region. That’s $4.6 Million in personal income,” said Bettina Hannigan, AEP6 steering committee member and President and CEO of the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce, “That puts us in the top five employers in the area!”

Delve deeper into the reports

  • Read Eugene’s AEP6 full report on ABAE’s website.
  • Read Florence’s AEP6 full report on Florence Regional Arts Alliance’s website.
  • Read the national full report on American for the Arts website.