Stephani Atkins reported on research done by ArtReach St. Croix and the St. Croix Valley Foundation funded by Hugh J. Andersen Foundation and the Wisconsin Arts Board. The Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 is an economic and social impact study of non-profit arts & culture organizations and their audiences. The national study provided detailed findings across all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
Ms. Atkins reported on the finding for the St. Croix Valley, including the counties of Chisago, and Washington in Minnesota and Burnett, Pierce, Polk and St. Croix in Wisconsin. The population of these six counties is 511,187. The economic impact of arts and cultural events was $169.2 million and provided 2,067 jobs. The study found that the average per person spending at events was $31.15. Fifty five percent of local attendees said they would have traveled to a different location to attend a similar event. This means that having arts events in the St Croix Valley keeps the dollars local. Eighty six percent of non-local attendees said that the art/cultural event was the primary purpose for their visit. Stephani urged us to support the local arts. Arts and cultural events promote tourism!