The Arts Mean Business:

Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 Study 2022

Connects Leaders In Fairfield County

The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County, the leading arts and culture network for coastal Fairfield County, launched the Sixth National Arts & Economic Prosperity Study (AEP6) on October 19th with a visit from Randy Cohen, VP for Research at Americans for the Arts. Arts and culture, business, and chamber of commerce leaders, legislators, donors, and economic development officers in the region all took part in one of three different events of the day: a coffee and information session at Stepping Stones Museum for Children, a business luncheon at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, and a cocktail hour at Riverside Yacht Club in Greenwich. Among the attendees were:

Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling and First Lady, Lucia Rilling

Senator Tony Hwang

Senator Ryan Fazio

Representative Lucy Dathan

Representative David Michel

Representative Kimberly Fiorello

Greenwich First Selectman of Greenwich, Fred Camillo

Conducted every five years, the AEP study is a national economic impact study of the nonprofit arts and culture industry. Building on its 25-year legacy, AEP6 will once again document and detail the economic power that nonprofit arts and culture wield in 375+ participating communities throughout the United States.

Cohen, a national arts leader for the nation’s largest arts service organization, spent the day in Fairfield County. He shared with each group the value and impact of the arts and culture and how essential they are to healthy, vibrant, prosperous communities. He also discussed the importance of participating in the survey and expressed enthusiasm around the support already underway throughout the region.

David Green, Executive Director of the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County, states, "The AEP6 study will be more important than ever to demonstrate that, especially in the wake of COVID-19, the arts provide a significant boost as we recharge the economy in our local communities. The arts draw people into community life—enjoying time with each other and spending their money with local businesses and restaurants." 

The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County (CAFC) leads the study in Fairfield County for the third time. Data for the study is collected through audience surveys that are distributed during performances, events, exhibits, and venues through April 2023. Separately, all nonprofit arts and cultural organizations complete a financial survey.

Green continues, "Fairfield County is an arts and culture mecca! Our artists and organizations make Fairfield County an awesome place to live, work and visit. We're excited to see and share the results in Fall 2023.” 

The Arts Mean Business 

Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 (AEP5), published in 2017, documented that, nationally, the nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $166.3 billion in economic activity, supported 4.6 million jobs and generated $27.5 billion in government revenue. This study puts to rest a misconception that communities support arts and culture at the expense of local economic development. In fact, communities are investing in an industry that supports jobs, generates government revenue, and is the cornerstone of tourism. AEP5 showed conclusively that, locally as well as nationally, the arts mean business! 

In 2015, in Fairfield County, the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County (in partnership with the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut) joined the AEP5 study as one of 250 partners nationwide, and collected 791 valid audience-intercept surveys. 72 of 311 eligible nonprofit arts and cultural organizations participated in the financial survey. Key findings include the following:

- Fairfield County Arts and Culture nonprofits generated $235 million in economic activity in 2015.

- Fairfield County Arts and Culture supported 6,780 jobs and generated $20.6 million in revenue to local, and state governments in 2015.

See more details and download the infographic here: 

Infographic