Art Topics: Arts in the Community
Building a Future for Idaho (08-12-2002)

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(Reprinted from 'Arts for Idaho' Newsletter Winter, 1996)

As many advocates know, the arts build communities. Until recently, however, little attention has been p aid to the role arts organizations play in the economic diversity of an area. Since nearly half of Idaho's communities have arts organizations, Arts for Idaho thought you might like to know that support for the arts brings color to Idaho's communities -- the color is green!

In 1990, the University of Idaho's Center for Business Development and Research prepared an economic analysis of the impact of the arts in Idaho. The two-year study centered on organizations throughout the state, and looked at the impact of artistic events on local economies.

The results are compelling: the arts provide an important component of Idaho's economy, pumping close to $100 million into communities all over the state. In towns and rural areas constantly on the lookout for ways to diversify stagnant economies, the arts build a broader community, attract new businesses and create jobs.

Six years ago, there were at least 225 non-profit arts organizations in Idaho, sprinkled throughout 68 cities and towns. These organizations sponsored nearly 1600 arts events with a total audience of 192,745 (1989 --this doesn't count the recent influx of arts events in the schools, or in rural areas like Challis and Montpelier). Those attending have dinner, travel to events, arrange for child care, and may even stay overnight. Add up the numbers and you find a pretty hefty impact, unrivaled by many industries.

The impact isn't restricted to larger areas, either: Sandpoint, Idaho is the home of the Festival at Sandpoint, a major musical performance and training events. The primary audience for the Festival comes from Spokane, Washington. This non-local audience spends over $11 million in the Sandpoint area. Spending by local audiences and participating arts organizations create a direct economic impact of nearly $14 million. Secondary spending (meals, lodging, souvenirs, etc.) creates a total economic impact of $22 million. Over 1,250 jobs and $9.9 million in personal income are supported by the Festival.

Statewide, the arts have a profound effect on the local economy. Idaho Falls, home to one of the highest per capita PhD population in the United States, boasts an arts related business volume of more then $16.1 million dollars. Over 660 jobs and $7 million in direct income result from the arts in Idaho Falls. In Ada County, over 1,680 jobs are attributable to arts organizations, with over $15.4 million in personal income directly generated by arts-related businesses.

Idaho's nonprofit arts organizations survive on meager budgets by using the help of volunteers who care about Idaho's artistic future. The arts play an important part in Idaho's economic future as well: spending by arts organizations result in important benefits in terms of jobs, increases in personal income, and revenue for local and state governments. Funding for the arts just isn't the nice thing to do anymore -- it's also smart business.

(Original study regarding Arts and Idaho's Economy done under the direction of Lawrence H. Merk, Center for Business Development and Research, College of Business Education, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83843 --208-885-6611)

Addendum to Article

This year, Stanley's 2002 Mountain Mama's Art Fair hosted 147 booths, 12 food vendors and 125 artisans. The annual art fair raises around $8000 for the Stanley Community, helping fund community services such as the library, clinic, volunteer fire department, school and the EMT's.

In addition to those donations, event volunteers increased the college scholarship to $1500, funded the Missoula Children's Theater program for the elementary school children again, sponsored two dance groups, and the wind quintet from the Boise Philharmonic.

The event draws nearly 5000 people to the small mountain town, bringing several thousand dollars to the business community. Rooms and campgrounds are full up to a week before the event, with some visitors traveling up to 30 miles away to find lodging.

Restaurants and grocery stores are hopping with enough activity that initializing food booths at the fair a few years ago was probably seen as a welcome relief rather than unwanted competition.

Nancy Williams, Fair Coordinator, says they are not privy to income figures for the artisans, but assess that the two-day event is very profitable because artisans try to come back year after year. This year, requests exceeded available booth space by 100 --that's 250 requests for 147 booth spaces.*

That all translates to a lot of jobs and a lot of money. Mountain Mama's is only one of over 100 art fairs in Idaho; many are much larger events. There are also the hundreds of performing arts events throughout the state. If a small mountain town with less than 100 people can generate this much economic activity, think about the economic effects of all the other art fairs and performances throughout the State. It makes sense to support the arts.

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*Nancy Williams says space was donated last year to expand the fair, but because Stanley has such a small population, they don't have the volunteer force to handle a larger event.