The Houston Arts Alliance is one of our clients, and I have been doing some research on the economic impact of the arts in Houston. It's very impressive actually.
Some data from the Houston Arts Alliance Blog from Mayor Bill White's recent talk on the arts.
- Arts are a 626.3 Million Dollar Industry in Houston
- The Arts in Houston support 30,000 full time jobs
- The economic impact for the city is 69.5 million in local and state government revenues
- Total Attendance of the 10 Largest Arts Organizations in 2007 = 7,383,740
- Total Hotel Occupancy Tax funds directed to the Arts in2007 = 12.1M
(source)
I mention this because I have been seeing the 13 Undercover teasers on TV for a show called "The Color of Money". I haven't seen the segment yet. Investigative Reporter Wayne Dolcefino runs "The Color of Money" about Houston Arts tonight at 10:00 PM.
As a tax payer it is important to me that my taxes go to logical and necessary expenses. But I also like knowing that there is a baseball team in Houston (stadium paid for with taxes), and while I can't always afford the beer at a Texan's game (ditto), I can always afford a glass of wine in the basement of the new building at the Houston Museum of Fine Art. Art is necessary. To what extent, that can and should be legitimately debated as with anything regarding public funding.
And again, the Houston Arts Alliance is a client so I am clearly biased. And I love the arts, so add a second bias to the first.
Trying to reserve judgment until I see the piece. But knowing Dolcefino….
Here is the Mayor's Funding for the Arts set:
The arts are such a huge part of the culture and do so much good for our community. The arts bring people together, provide a place to get together and allow people to express themselves and learn from others.
It creates a more vibrant community and allows people to view things in a different light. Expand their minds and hopefully become open to new ideas.
Houston is lucky to have such a great arts community and the better for it.
Posted on November 10, 2008 at 1:55 pm.
What is the economic impact of the arts? Simple. Skilled people can live wherever they want. When you foster the arts in your city, you give skilled people a reason to hang out in your town.
Skilled people attract companies. Companies make money and give people jobs.
Oh, and they are cool. The end.
Posted on November 11, 2008 at 11:01 pm.
@Arts Lover – I agree; “It creates a more vibrant community” – I really don’t want to live in a world without Art!
@Michelle Greer – you make a great point. Not all people have the same economic impact on a city. People who create jobs I would expect are more into Art than others.
I don’t know that for a fact, but I know I prefer visiting Paris over Munich and Art is part of the reason. (but Munich has WAY better beer. Heh)
Posted on November 14, 2008 at 11:58 am.