Cecil County Arts Council now has proof that there are not only social and cultural benefits in the arts but also economic benefits.
Results are in from the Art & Economic Prosperity 6 study conducted by Americans for the Arts on behalf of CCAC. Annemarie Hamilton, executive director of the arts council, obtained grants to cover the $15,000 survey cost, which discovered that the arts and humanities generated nearly $35 million in economic benefits for the county in 2022.
"It was not really a surprise to me," Hamilton said Wednesday, noting she had seen the results of this AEP study in the past from colleagues in other areas of Maryland.
What did surprise her, however, was how high it was at a time when Cecil County and the rest of the country was still recovering from the effects of the pandemic.
"I know how the world has been struggling. I was surprised the revenues were as high as they were," she said.
Now, the plan is to share the results of the 800-respondent survey with Cecil County residents and officials Feb. 15 at Milburn Stone Theater.
"Americans For the Arts is going to explain it," she said of the free presentation called "Value of the Arts in Cecil County."
It will run from 6 until 8 p.m. at the theater on the North East campus of Cecil College. Pre-registration is required to attend so there can be enough refreshments on hand. Go to http://tinyurl.com/ycxkehw6 to register, or call CCAC at 410-392-5740.
The survey has revealed that the average event visitor from Cecil County spends $28.42 beyond any cost of admission, while visitors, on average, spend $36.10. These events supported 564 jobs, created more than $17 million in personal income, and contributed $5.2 million in tax revenue. Of visitors from outside of Cecil County traveling here, nearly 83% came here for such events. On average, 77% of those in attendance were from Cecil County.
"Cinco de Mayo was a huge event," Hamilton said of Elkton's first time holding the event the first Friday in May. "I was surprised at how successful it was."
A full 52-page report is available for those interested in delving into the details of the survey, such as how far people traveled to attend, demographics, and how the surveys were tabulated.
"You can track how the money is spent and where it goes in the county," she said. "I am hoping others will see the value."
However, there is also an easy-to-read executive summary and a full nationwide report from AFTA on the at-large study of Art and Economic Prosperity 6. Hamilton said Cecil is the first Eastern Shore county to do the study.
"This is the first time ever it's been done; ever, ever, ever," Hamilton said.
Metropolitan counties have participated for years, she said. Since the theme of the study changes every time, Hamilton said if and when it gets conducted again in Cecil County, there may be no way to compare the two surveys' data.
"This year it was formatted on diversity, equity and inclusion," she said. "That's not what they studied five years ago."
For now, Hamilton is focusing on this fresh data and all it reveals, with plans to use it to the benefit of the Arts Council.
"We used to be a line item in the county budget," Hamilton said, noting how the only county funding source is the highly competitive VLT grants. "They need to fund arts and culture again."
She hopes county officials will attend the Value the Arts presentation so she can make her case.
"Arts brings so much to the table," Hamilton said. "It really reaps the rewards."
Cecil County Arts Council has all the survey data available online at https://www.cecilarts.org/news/aep-6/. The link offers the whole summary, the executive summary, and the entire national AEP6. There is also a breakdown of the data pulled exclusively from Elkton residents.
No comments:
Post a Comment