The creative sector is a strong contributor to North Carolina's economy, according to a new survey.
By Megan V. Williams
Wilmington, NC – Supporting the arts may be one way to boost a community's bottom line, at least according to a new survey.
The study, commissioned by the North Carolina Arts Council and conducted by Regional Technology Strategies Inc. of Carrboro, found a strong creative sector was a good indication that a county would have higher household incomes and steady or growing populations.
Most surprising, according to the Council's Executive Director Mary Regan, was that the number of people employed in the arts was the single best predictor of how much tourists spend in a given county.
The study didn't look at whether the two are linked by cause-and-effect or if some other factor is at play.
Arts Council officials say they hope the new data will help persuade communities that supporting the arts can have a wider economic impact. Regan says her group wants to put these figures in the hands of local development agencies and chambers of commerce.
"We feel like the future of North Carolina's economy might be in building up these creative enterprises," Reagan said, adding that many are small, homegrown businesses.
The study considered for-profit, non-profit, and government creative industries involved in areas ranging from the arts to entertainment and design. All told, researchers found nearly 132,000 creative workers in the state, with total wages topping $3.9 billion.
While certain areas have become associated with their artistic industries - such as galleries in Asheville or film in Wilmington, Regan says the study should help provide a statewide perspective.
"I don't think a lot of people think about this as a real contributor to North Carolina's economy," she noted.
The Arts Council is currently analyzing the economic impact of the arts in specific communities, and will present those results in a series of meetings around the state.
*****
The Arts Council will hold a public meeting focused on the economic impact of the arts on souteastern North Carolina:
7-9pm Tuesday, May 1
Location: Louise Wells Cameron Art Museum
3201 S 17th St, Wilmington, NC 28412