Arts and Economic Prosperity 6 Report
Cuyahoga County’s nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $533,156,171 in economic activity in 2022, according to the newly released Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6), an economic and social impact study conducted by Americans for the Arts. That economic activity — $389.8 million in spending by nonprofit arts and culture organizations and an additional $143.3 million in event-related spending by their audiences supported 8,637 jobs and generated $104.2 million in local, state, and federal government revenue. Spending by arts and culture audiences generates valuable commerce to local merchants, a value-add that few other industries can compete with.
Building on its 30-year legacy as the largest and most inclusive study of its kind, AEP6 uses a rigorous methodology to document the economic and social contributions of the nation’s nonprofit arts and culture industry. The study demonstrates locally as well as nationally, arts and culture are a critical economic driver of vibrant communities. In Cuyahoga County, more than 1,100 audience members participated in the survey and 172 nonprofit organizations supplied financial and audience information – about 38% of nonprofit arts and culture organizations in the county. The study also surveyed audiences of color for the first time ever.
Arts & Economic Prosperity 6
Change the Conversation About the Arts
Becoming an AEP6 Volunteer with Assembly is a great way to meet new people, show your support for our arts communities and get some great perks!
Volunteers will help with survey prep and on-site survey collection at arts and culture events of all kinds. You’ll also get to:
- Talk with other arts-minded people
- Advocate for the arts
- Help others learn about Assembly for the Arts programs
- Expand your network
Email volunteer@assemblycle.org to sign up and learn more!
What is the study?
Assembly is excited to partner with Americans for the Arts on Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6).
AEP6 is an economic impact study of the nation’s nonprofit arts and culture industry. It’s the largest and most inclusive study of its kind ever conducted, with a specific focus on 387 participating communities from across the country.
For the first time ever, this study includes Cuyahoga County as part of the more than two hundred regions surveyed nationwide. View the Press Release.
Nonprofit Partners
Assembly is working with nonprofit organization partners to survey their audiences at arts and culture events of all kinds across the county. These surveys will provide important information on how much people are spending at arts events, what neighborhoods are participating and their investment in and connection to the arts.
Why is This a big deal for Cuyahoga County?
In short, Economic impact studies like AEP6:
- Can help organizations like Assembly advocate for more resources for arts and culture, including future funding
- Illustrate the major economic impact of the arts in our region
- Influence where tax dollars are invested
- Help change how people view arts and culture
Download 10 Reasons to Support the Arts in Cleveland.
Download 10 Reasons to Support the Arts in Cuyahoga County.
Thank You
To our friends that have partnered with us on this!
Beck Center for the Arts
CAN Journal
Cleveland Institute of Art
Cleveland Institute of Music
Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland Play House
Cleveland Public Theatre
Dance Cleveland
Dancing Wheels
Djapo Cultural Arts Institute
Dobama Theatre
Future Ink Graphics (FIG)
Great Lakes African American Writer’s Conference
Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival (GCUFF)
Julia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center
Kaiser Gallery
Karamu House
Les Delices
Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland (moCa)
Museum of Creative Human Art
Musical Theatre Project
Near West Theatre
Oh Sew Powerful
RidAll Green Partnership
The Cleveland International Film Festival
The Cleveland Orchestra
The International Women’s Air and Space Museum
The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage
The Rock N Roll Hall of Fame
ThirdSpace Action Lab
Twelve Literary Arts
Western Reserve Historical Society
Get Involved and Become a Partner
AEP6 in Cuyahoga County, can’t be successful without you. Help Assembly reach our goal of 800 surveys for Cuyahoga County and Sign up to become an organizational partner today. This year QR codes make it even easier to distribute. They have also translated the audience survey into 24 languages! Even surveying ONE of your events makes a difference!
Watch the Webinar to learn more about AEP6 and what you need to know as a partner.
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Rethinking Accessibility in Cleveland’s Arts and Culture. 2019.
In 2014, Arts Cleveland began a productive partnership with Art Possible Ohio (APO) and Services for Independent Living (SIL) and began to understand the gap in access for people with disabilities throughout the arts and culture sector.
Fast forward to January 2019, Arts Cleveland received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to execute on a research initiative focused on arts and culture accessibility for people with disabilities in the greater Cleveland region. In close communication with APO and SIL, Arts Cleveland led an assessment of the regional state of access to the arts. Through this research, we explored the Cuyahoga County landscape of arts and culture access and worked to identify and define barriers among individuals with varying abilities.
Collaborative Marketing Database: Audience Development
Collaborative Marketing Database: Marketing and Audience Development Project
Community Report on Arts and Culture Consumers . 2012
The Collaborative Marketing Database is an initiative between Northeast Ohio arts and cultural organizations and is governed by these member organizations. It is operated by Elliott Marketing Group of Pittsburgh, PA. Arts Cleveland coordinates the collaborative, serves as the intermediary between Elliott Marketing Group and the consortium members, and facilitates meetings among the members. This report provides insights on arts and culture consumers based on data that has been aggregated from the Collaborative Marketing Database. Two primary statistical models are used: a market model and a cross-sell model.
Arts and Culture Participation (Akron) – Benefits and Barriers 2002
A Survey of Arts and Culture Consumers in Greater Akron
This study outlines what drives consumers to participate in arts and culture activities in Greater Akron as well as what prevents them from doing so. It is intended to aid in the development of programming and marketing concepts for arts and culture organizations in Greater Akron.
Arts and Culture Participation - Benefits and Barriers 2002
A Survey of Arts and Culture Consumers in Northeast Ohio: Arts and Culture Participation – Benefits and Barriers. 2002.
Eight focus groups and a telephone survey of 800 adults were conducted from July, 2001 to November, 2001. Participants in the study were only those who have participated in at least one arts and cultural activity or event during the past year. The objectives of this study were to 1) identify the major benefits of arts and cultural participation in NE Ohio, 2) identify the major barriers and motivators for arts and cultural participation. This information was intended to aide in the formulation of programming and marketing concepts for arts and cultural organizations in NE Ohio.
Target Markets - 1999
An analysis of customers from a diverse group of arts and culture organizations throughout Greater Cleveland. 1999.
This report analyzes the customer data files from a broad and diverse cross-section of performing arts groups, cultural organizations, and entertainment attractions throughout the Greater Cleveland area. The study was conducted in conjunction with the development of a community cultural plan for Northeast Ohio.