Celebrating New Partnerships

ArtsFund’s 2014-2015 Economic Impact Study is underway, with funding support by The Seattle Foundation, King County, 4Culture, Bank of America, Safeco Insurance, Visit Seattle, Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, and the Nesholm Family Foundation.

“Arts and culture enliven our community, boost our quality of life, and make this region an attractive place for new businesses that bring with them new jobs,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “The last ArtsFund report showed that the arts add $2 billion in business activity, $882 million in payroll, and 32,500 jobs to the Central Puget Sound Region. I look forward to the findings of the new study.”

Every five years, ArtsFund partners with regional cultural, civic, business, and government leaders to develop this critical research and advocacy tool. Over the next six months, data will be collected from more than 350 arts and cultural organizations and 2,500 patrons in the Central Puget Sound. Findings will be broadly distributed in the fall of 2015.

Tony Mestres, President & CEO, The Seattle Foundation, added, “The Seattle Foundation is proud to partner with ArtsFund on the 2014-2015 Economic Impact Study. Seattle is redefining what the arts mean to the health of our community.   We know that supporting the arts brings creativity, vibrancy, and richness to our lives. The arts and cultural sector in our region is helping us realize that it also changes the trajectory of children’s lives, unlocks our compassion for each other, and ignites our collective vision of the world we want to live in.”

Tom Norwalk, President & CEO, Visit Seattle, stated, “Not only does a vital arts ecology contribute to a better quality of life for residents, but it also serves as a robust driver of tourism. Seattle is increasingly recognized as a top cultural capital, and visitors come to experience our outstanding arts and culture.  The Arts Fund Economic Impact Study helps us quantify the powerful impact of cultural tourism, and the importance of continued investment in, and promotion of, our region’s unique cultural assets. We’re proud to be a partner in this study.”

Research support for ArtsFund’s 2014-2015 Economic Impact Study is being provided by: 4Culture, the Association of King County Historical Organizations, Kitsap County Arts Board, the League of Snohomish County Heritage Organizations, Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, Snohomish County Arts Commission, and Tacoma Arts Commission.

The 2014-2015 Economic Impact Study will be presented in collaboration with Dr. William Beyers of the University of Washington and GMA Research Corporation.

For more information, contact Sarah Sidman, ArtsFund Director of Strategic Initiatives & Communications, sarahsidman@artsfund.org.

Photo credit: Seattle Skyline at Sunset, #159447440, LoweStock, iStock