St. Petersburg Times -- Spending on Arts Pays Off -- posted by Florida Fine Art Blog

Spending on arts pays off with big bucks in St. Petersburg, study says -- St. Petersburg Times

"St. Petersburg's USF economic impact study is the first one that tried to quantify what the arts and cultural institutions actually do for the economy", said Elizabeth Brinklow, the city's cultural affairs manager.  The study "answers a lot of questions", said council member Jeff Danner. "The arts really are a job generator and an economic engine."  "When you think about why businesses move here or why educated and successful people move to a community, arts plays a big role in that", St. Petersburg council member Karl Nurse said. "It has been interesting to watch to see the evolution of how people appreciate the arts."


The study reinforces that view. It was requested by John Collins, the chairman of St. Petersburg's volunteer Arts Advisory Committee. It was prepared by Maria Luisa Corton, an economics professor, who surveyed 32 arts and cultural organizations, which included the Children's Museum Great Explorations, the St. Petersburg Museum of History, the Dali, and businesses such as art galleries, including one owned by Council Chairwoman, Leslie Curran.

The study concluded that the respondents spent $16 million on wages, rent and marketing activities, while generating $26 million in revenue. GL

St. Petersburg Times Article