GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) — The arts’ contribution to the economy goes beyond sales from paintings and performances.
A recent report by the Greater Greensboro Arts Council shows Guilford County will have an economic impact of approximately $240 million in fiscal year 2022.
That money covers everything from start to finish for an arts and cultural event. This includes ticket costs, pre-show dinner downtown, event staff salaries, and tax revenue.
Although it takes time to compile all the data, the results exceeded everyone’s expectations.
“When I opened the report, I held my breath for a little while,” said Laura Way, president of the Greater Greensboro Arts Council.
Way spent time working with arts and culture organizations in Guilford County to obtain data. It will be sent to Americans for the Arts to generate the final numbers.
“Arts and culture is the essence of who we are as a community, and it’s really empowering to know that the community also believes in and invests in it,” Way said.
Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan said she believes the actual impact will be more than $240 million due to ripple effects.
“Because of the arts and culture that we have, we’re seeing all these places opening up. We’re seeing all the restaurants opening up. We’re seeing small businesses supporting big businesses. I get it,” Vaughn said.
The study found that local residents who attended the event spent an average of about $31.
“Our people love art in all mediums. They love events so they will definitely attend. If we don’t have them here, they will attend somewhere else. So we… Let’s keep people here, let them spend their money here, let them enjoy each other here,” said Guilford County Commissioner Kay Cashion.
Out-of-town attendees spent more, averaging $57 per event.
“A lot of that economic impact is coming from people who leave without taking their economic base through sewerage and water and all the other services that are provided. We like it, we need to have more money, and we will,” Wei said.
The survey found that 75% of arts and culture participants believe their venue is an important pillar within their community.
“It’s been my life’s work in this city to watch this city grow. It’s important that the work we’ve done is finally celebrated,” said Greensboro Poet Laureate Josephus Thompson III said. “I feel like for a long time it has been very difficult for artists to grow in cities… Now there are specific funds available specifically for artists to invest in their art form to grow, present and learn. is assigned to.”
It is not only a surviving arts and cultural community, but also a thriving one.
“If we stay focused on doing what we need to do, we can meet the communities they are in, meet their needs, and ask them, ‘What do you want to see?'” As long as we do the internal work to make sure we’re strong, sustainable and fiscally responsible, we’ll be fine,” Wei said.
Although the majority of event attendees come from Guilford County, about 40 percent travel here, making it an arts and culture destination.