FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Lynn Cass
478-743-6940

February 13, 2008

Local arts groups generate over $18 million in Bibb County

Macon Arts has recently completed an Arts and Economic Impact Study for Macon and Bibb County by Americans for the Arts. The Georgia Council for the Arts, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Macon Arts and several local arts organizations funded the study. The study took several months to complete, but the results are in and show conclusively that the arts mean business for Bibb County.

Total spending by nonprofit arts and culture organizations and their audiences totaled $18.13 million in Bibb County during 2006. The direct impact to the economy equaled 485 full-time equivalent jobs. The total attendance at arts and culture events by residents was 212,965 and by non-residents was 100,080, and the average dollars spent by attendees was $15.48, which did not include ticket revenue. Arts spending resulted in $474,000 to the local government and $774,000 to state government. The entire report will be posted soon on the Macon Arts website, maconarts.org.

Arts and Economic Prosperity III was conducted by Americans for the Arts to document the economic impact of the non-profit arts and culture industry in 156 communities and regions representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The diverse communities range in populations (four thousand to three million) and type (rural to urban). The study focuses solely on nonprofit arts and culture organizations and their audiences and excludes spending by individual artists and the for-profit arts and entertainment sector. The two largest U.S. cities, New York and Los Angeles, each with more that $1 billion in organizational expenditures were excluded from this study to avoid inflating the national estimates.

America's nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $166.2 billion in economic activity every year - $63.1 billion in spending by organizations and an additional $103.1 billion in event-related spending by audiences. The national impact of this activity is significant, supporting 5.7 million jobs and generating $29.6 billion in government revenue.

The impact of spending by nonprofit arts and culture organizations is far reaching; they pay their employees, purchase supplies, and acquire assets within the local community. Additionally, unlike most industries, the nonprofit arts and culture leverage significant event-related spending by their audience. Whether serving the local community or out-of-town visitors, a vibrant arts and culture industry helps local businesses thrive.

Macon Arts is pleased to have sponsored the study, which will be used throughout the community for purposes of arts funding and advocacy. For more information, contact Lynn Cass at Macon Arts, 743-6940.

For more information, call (478) 743-6940 or visit www.maconarts.org