Economic Impact of the Arts

The Kansas Arts Commission has contracted with Americans for the Arts to conduct an economic impact study of the arts statewide. The report is due to be completed in 2008.

Within the last four years, Americans for the Arts has completed four studies of the impact of the arts in Kansas communities: Lawrence, Metropolitan Kansas City, Salina and Sedgwick County).

In Salina, Kansas (population 45,676) in 2005:

Nonprofit arts generated over $23.7 million in local economic activity (spending by organizations and their audiences):

• $ 11.9 million by nonprofit arts organizations
• $ 11.8 million in event and event-related spending by audiences

The nonprofit arts support 815 full-time jobs:

• Generating $12.7 million in household income to local residents
• Delivering more than $2 million in local and state government revenues

In Wichita, Kansas (population 354,865) in 2005:

Nonprofit arts generated over $49.1 million  in local economic activity (spending by organizations and their audiences):

• $27.5 million by nonprofit arts organizations
• $21.6 million in event and event-related spending by audiences

The nonprofit arts support 814 full-time jobs:

• Generating more than $20.3 million in household income to local residents
• Delivering 2.3 million in local and state government revenues.

To learn more about the economic impact of the arts, go to Americans for the Arts.