Charles RunnellsNaples Daily News
The arts continue to be big business in Collier County. That's the message from a new study released Monday.
Collier County’s nonprofit arts-and-culture industry generated a whopping $147 million in economic activity in 2022, according to the national study Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (or "AEP6").
That's $40 million more than the last study conducted in 2017.
The study also shows that:
- Collier arts organizations spent $102 million in 2022;
- Audiences spent $45 million at Collier shows and events;
- Audiences spent an average of $34.29 whenever they visited a theater, museum or other nonprofit arts group, including food, transportation and hotel stays (but not tickets and admission);
- The Collier arts scene supported 1,948 jobs and 1,526 volunteers;
- The arts scene generated $29.4 million in local, state and federal tax revenue;
- And 30 % of event attendees were non-locals traveling from outside Collier County.
Collier County's arts scene: A 'vitally important and impactful industry'
The AEP6 Study was conducted in 2022 and completed in early 2023, according to a Monday news release from United Arts Collier.
“The arts are a vitally important and impactful industry in Collier County, and we see verification of that through the results from the AEP6 Study,” said Elysia Dawn, executive director of United Arts Collier, in the news release. “The arts improve our community’s individual and collective well-being and make a positive difference in our education, health and economic outcomes.”
Surveyors from United Arts Collier gathered data in cooperation with 20 Collier nonprofit arts-and-culture organizations and the national organization Americans for the Arts.
The study also found that most arts-and-culture attendees value Collier's offerings. According to surveys at Collier events:
- 79% of respondents believe arts and culture is important to the community’s economy and businesses, and that it supports local jobs;
- 84% believe their attendance is a way to ensure the activity or venue is preserved for future generations;
- 86% feelthat arts and culture is important to the quality of life and livability in Collier County;
- And 86% feel that if that activity or venue were no longer available, there would be a sense of loss.
U.S. arts stats: $152 billion economic impact
The national Arts & Economic Prosperity Report is the sixth conducted by Americans for the Arts, which calls it the most comprehensive study of its kind. The new national report also tracked the economic impact of nonprofit arts-and-culture groups in 372 other study regions in all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, including Lee County.
Nationally, the nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $152 billion in 2022, according to the study. That supported 2.6 million jobs and generated $29.1 billion in government tax revenue.
“Arts and culture organizations have a powerful ability to attract and hold dollars in the community longer," said Nolen V. Bivens, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts, in a 2023 news release. "They employ people locally, purchase goods and services from nearby businesses, and produce the authentic cultural experiences that are magnets for visitors, tourists and new residents.
"When we invest in nonprofit arts and culture, we strengthen our economy and build more livable communities.”
In Lee County, the nonprofit arts and culture industry generated more than $135 million in economic activity, according tothe national study. The Lee County results − released in December 2023 − tracked both 2022 and the first four months of 2023. Surveyors got extra time to gather survey data after Hurricane Ian shut down much of the county's arts scene for months.
The study also showed that:
- Lee County’s nonprofit arts and culture industry supported 2,516 jobs;
- $23.4 million was generated in local, state and federal tax revenue;
- People spent an average of $40.19 whenever they visited a theater, museum or other nonprofit arts group, including food, transportation and hotel stays (but not tickets and admission);
- And 23.3% of event attendees were non-locals traveling from outside Lee County.
More about the Collier County arts study
The Collier study emphasizes the importance of Collier County's Arts and Culture Strategic Plan, which was created through the collaboration of 26 Collier organizations and approved in 2020 by the Collier County Board of Commissioners.
That collaboration has resulted in various local, regional and national ad campaigns.
“The strategic plan is being implemented by both Collier County organizations and the United Arts Council," said John Melleky, arts and culture manager for Collier County Tourism, in the news release. Melleky drafted the strategic plan.
"Their collaborative efforts allow both organizations to be a part of building a solid infrastructure that will promote the arts to tourists through the Naples, Marco Island and Everglades CVB, and to our local community through the advocacy and service of United Arts Collier.
Want to share random act of kindness? New Inspiration page to showcase good deeds
"There is now an enthusiasm for more collaboration that embraces the development and implementation of new programs and activities throughout the County.”
For more information on the national study, visit AEP6.AmericansForTheArts.org. Learn more about the Collier study at unitedartscollier.org/aep6.
Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. To reach him, call 239-335-0368 (for tickets to shows, call the venue) or email him atcrunnells@gannett.com. Follow or message him on social media: Facebook (facebook.com/charles.runnells.7), X (formerly Twitter) (@charlesrunnells), Threads (@crunnells1) and Instagram (@crunnells1).
