Arts Economic Impact Study
PURPOSE
The purpose of an economic impact study is to analyze the current and potential value that public art and cultural activities add to the community.
Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 National Study (AEP5 Study)
The study prepared for the City of Redlands incorporates the Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 National Study (AEP5 Study), published in 2017. It is the most comprehensive economic impact study of the nonprofit arts and culture industry ever conducted. The AEP5 Study documented the economic contributions of the arts in 341 communities and regions across the country, representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The diverse participating communities range in population from 1,500 to 4 million and include rural, suburban and urban areas. The study uses four economic measures to define economic impact: full-time equivalent jobs, resident household income, and revenue to local and state governments. Economists customized input-output models to calculate specific and reliable findings for each region.
HISTORY
In February 2019, the City Council approved a recommendation by the Cultural Arts Commission to appropriate funds for an Arts Economic Impact Study and accept a donation from the Redlands Arts Collaborative (RAC). RAC consists of representatives from Redlands cultural arts groups and is a community-based organization that collaborates to support individual and collective goals. Americans for the Arts was selected as a consultant to prepare the economic study However, due to the cancellations of events and temporary closures of some organizations due to global health concerns, the completion of the study was delayed. With the assistance of RAC representatives, the American’s for the Arts was able to complete the study in late 2021.
Economic Impact Study Results
The attached report presents the findings of the study which evaluates the economic impact of the nonprofit arts and culture industry in the City.