Report: Performing Arts Sector Adds Millions of Dollars to Local Economy

The Bloomington/Monroe County performing arts sector adds over $4 million annually to the local economy and supports more than 160 jobs here, according to a recent analysis commissioned by Cardinal Stage.

Gabe Gloden, the professional theater's managing director, presented results of the study at the Chamber Speaker Series on July 18.

The analysis focused on three organizations: Cardinal Stage, Buskirk-Chumley Theater, and the Ivy Tech Waldron Arts Center. The economic impact of the entire arts sector would be even greater, Gloden noted.

Other key takeaways:

• Local economic impact is greater than the national average for regions of similar size and demographic composition.
• The local performing arts sector appears to be growing faster than the national average for similar regions.
• In the 2019 City of Bloomington Community Survey, 94% of respondents chose "opportunities to attend cultural/arts/music activities" as a characteristic they associate positively with the city.
• 60% of the 450 people surveyed said they'd be willing to travel to another city to attend a performance, if it wasn't available in Monroe County.

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The Chamber's July 18 Speaker Series.

That last data point should be food for thought, Gloden said, as the community thinks about investing in the arts through ticket sales, sponsorships or grants. If there aren't local opportunities for participating in the arts, this community would be losing revenue – including money spent at local restaurants and hotels – to other areas.

Exposure to the performing arts also has been linked positively to increased civic engagement, improved academic achievement, social and emotional learning, and development of tolerance and empathy.

The study was conducted in the  spring of 2019 by graduate students of the Indiana University O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Click here to read the full report. 

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