Music lovers, theater fans, and festival goers are supporting a multi-million dollar industry in the Quad Cities. That's according to a study by Americans for the Arts, a national organization, which presented its findings today at the Figge Art Museum in Davenport.
Randy Cohen, Vice president of Research and Policy, says the arts have a substantial impact on the local economy. Non-profit organizations, like theaters and galleries, bring $71 million to the area each year. That pays for 1,900 full-time jobs and contributes $8 million in local and state taxes.
During the past year, Cohen's research team interviewed 1,000 people attending local arts events. He says 1 in 5 came from outside of the Quad Cities.
He says, on average, each local resident spends $20 per event, while out-of-town visitors spend over $40.
According to Americans for the Arts, the arts make up a $135 billion industry nationwide.