New Study: Concord arts non-profits contribute $17 million to local economy each year, support hundreds of jobs

Concord, New Hampshire - A new Arts and Economic Prosperity survey finds that Concord region nonprofit arts and culture institutions  are a significant industry – one that generates more than  $17.7 million in economic activity each year. This spending – $10.8 million by nonprofit arts and cultural organizations and an additional $7 million in event-related spending by their audiences – supports 568 full time equivalent jobs, generates $12.9 million in household income to local residents and delivers $1.6 million in local and state government revenue.

“The study sends a strong signal that support for the arts both enhances quality of life and stimulates the local economy,” says Concord Chamber president Tim Sink. The Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce partnered with the Washington-based Americans for the Arts to conduct the economic impact survey of nonprofit cultural institutions in the Concord area.

Fifteen Concord area nonprofit arts and cultural organizations participated in the survey, which measured the individual organizations’ direct spending and employment impact. In addition, nearly 600 audience-intercept surveys were collected from people attending cultural events, measuring spending on event-related activities such as meals, souvenirs, transportation and lodging.

“We believe that these numbers, while very significant, are very conservative and really just the tip of the iceberg,” says Byron Champlin, chairman of the Chamber’s Creative Concord Committee. “It is important to note that the survey only measured nonprofit arts and cultural institutions.  If we included the numbers from for profit cultural organizations and individual artists, these numbers would be even higher.”

Greater Concord was one of six regions in New Hampshire participating in the Arts and Economic Prosperity Survey. The New Hampshire State Council for the Arts measured results on a statewide basis and served as the convener between Americans for the Arts and the individual regions.

“It is important that we develop this baseline data on the impact of arts and cultural organizations on our economy.  We are now better able to measure future growth with reasonable points of comparison” says Sink.

For a copy of the full report, please visit www.concordnhchamber.com. For more information, please contact the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce at (603) 224-2508.