Advocacy.

Why Support the Arts?

The Arts are an integral part of life. Americans for the Arts have five reasons to support the arts in Alexandria. Here are those reasons:
  1. Arts promote true prosperity.
  2. Arts improve academic performance.
  3. Arts strengthen the economy.
  4. Arts are good for local merchants.
  5. Arts drive tourism.

The Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 Study 
The Arts and Economic Prosperity 5 study was recently conducted by Americans for the Arts, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. Established in 1960, Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts.

This study - the largest of its kind with 341 study regions throughout the country - shows that arts and culture is a $111.8 million industry in Alexandria supporting 2,628 full-time equivalent jobs, generating over $56 million in household income to local residents, and providing $7.5 million in local and state government revenue.

Of the over 1,000 audience members who were surveyed, people who attend a cultural event spend an average of $32.04 above the cost of admission or tickets for items such as dining out souvenirs.

To view an infographic of the national study, click here.