Arts are an economic boon

An overwhelming majority of Henderson County residents appreciate the intrinsic benefits of the arts — the beauty and vision; how art and performance inspires and connects us.

Evidence continues unabated that we are an arts-engaged community — pride and support for our high school bands' accomplishments; packed houses for Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra concerts and live theater offerings; throngs of patrons for dance recitals; thousands who line Main Street for arts fairs and the rising tide of residents making arts destination trips to Asheville, Brevard and Greenville. S.C.

However, when the issue arises of funding for a performing arts center, elected officials and business leaders require strong, credible data demonstrating the economic benefits of such a vibrant undertaking. The recently released study, Arts & Economic Prosperity III, provides our community with much of the credible data we require.

Americans for the Arts analyzed findings from 156 study regions — 116 cities and counties including Buncombe, 35 multicounty regions including Western North Carolina, and five states — resulting in a comprehensive and compelling picture of the sustained economic growth, increased employment, expanded tax revenue and enviable quality of life within arts-supporting communities, particularly those communities supporting a performing arts center.

Those who care about economic development can feel great about choosing to invest in the arts because, by every measure, the arts' economic results are truly impressive. Nationally, the nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $166.2 billion in economic activity annually — a 24 percent increase within the past five years. Arts spending supports 5.7 million American jobs — an increase of 850,000 jobs since 2002.

In the United States, the arts contributes nearly $30 billion in annual revenue to local, state and federal governments. Compared to less than $4 billion that's collectively spent for arts by our three levels of government, arts and culture provides a spectacular return of 7 to 1. What I wouldn't give to have that in my 401(k)!

Just up the road, Asheville arts organizations have an economic impact exceeding $61 million and contribute more than $1.6 million annually in local government taxes and fees. Across North Carolina, cultural tourists spend an average of $102.28 per day.

Nonprofit arts, unlike most industries, leverage significant amounts of additional event-related spending by audiences that pump vital revenue into restaurants, hotels, motels and B&B's, Main Street merchants, outlying retail stores and other businesses, from baby sitters to parking facilities — about $28 per person per event attended over and above the event's admission cost.

Our community's delay in fully embracing a new performing arts center delays a significant revenue stream for local merchants and local government who lose economic vitality, growth, jobs and taxes every time a Hendersonville group goes to a neighboring community to perform, or Hendersonville audiences travel elsewhere to attend concerts.

Buncombe and Transylvania County have seen an increase in jobs in arts and entertainment over the past six years while Henderson County has lost nearly 100 jobs in this area. Buncombe County has seen an increase in accommodation and food service jobs whereas Henderson County has remained relatively flat.

While business and government leaders emphasize challenges of funding the arts as well as other community needs amid shrinking resources, they might instead emphasize the arts as a magnet for a skilled and creative workforce, as a means to greater economic rewards through cultural tourism (nonlocal audiences spend twice as much as their local counterparts) and as an economic engine to fuel local business and government income like no other industry.

Every day 100,000 nonprofit arts and cultural organizations that populate our nation's towns and cities are making communities more desirable places to live and work. They provide inspiration and enjoyment to residents, beautify shared public places and strengthen the social fabric.

According to a recent study by Advantage West, a significantly higher than the national average percentage of people moving to our area are between the ages of 45-65. Additionally 63 percent have annual household incomes between $50,000 and $500,000. This study also found the highly educated people attracted to our region are more likely to participate in the arts than in other parts of the country — the strongest possible customer base for Hendersonville's envisioned performing arts center.

Compelling data from numerous studies clearly demonstrates that the arts are for other cities — and can be for Hendersonville — an economic driver — a growth industry that supports jobs, generates government revenue and is the cornerstone of tourism. So without further delay, let's build a performing arts center as the centerpiece for these economic benefits.

Susan Kincaid is the former executive director of Chicago's Sherwood Conservatory of Music. She is a pianist who serves as an adjunct faculty member of the Warren Wilson College music program. She and her husband Dan live in Hendersonville.