Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 reception, presentation Monday

Kelsey Wagner creating sidewalk art in downtown Ponca City

The nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $5,005,936 in annual economic activity in Ponca City, supporting 112 full-time equivalent jobs and generating $305,000 in local and state government revenues, according to the Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 (AEP5) national economic impact study.

The most comprehensive economic impact study of the nonprofit arts and culture industry ever conducted in the United States, AEP5 was conducted by Americans for the Arts, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education.

Results show that nonprofit arts and culture organizations in Ponca City spent $2.8 million during fiscal year 2015. This spending is far-reaching: organizations pay employees, purchase supplies, contract for services and acquire assets within the community. Those dollars, in turn, generated $2.3 million in household income for local residents.

The AEP5 results will be presented at the Ponca City Board of Commissioners meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, July 24.  A special partner reception will be held prior to the city commission meeting at 5 p.m. and all study partner board members, volunteers, and employees are invited to attend.

“Almost everyone understands the benefits of the arts to a community from a quality of life perspective.  What is less well understood is the significant economic benefits the arts bring to a community.  Looking beyond the vital role the arts play in place making in economic development, appreciating the business side of the arts is as easy as appreciating the aesthetics once one looks at the direct economic impact of this vital industry,” stated David Myers, Executive Director of the Ponca City Development Authority.

In addition to spending by organizations, Ponca City’s arts and culture industry leveraged $2.2 million in event-related spending by its audiences.

As a result of attending a cultural event, attendees often eat dinner in local restaurants, buy gifts and souvenirs, and pay a babysitter, spending on average $26.28 beyond ticket price.

The study also reports that 14.1 percent of attendees reside outside of Kay County. Attendees from out of town often stayed overnight in a local hotel or motel, and spent on average $37.64 per day.

Ponca City Mayor Homer Nicholson said “Ponca City leaders have long encouraged the arts within our community. Local activities and events provide our citizens with entertainment, social, creative, and business opportunities, while providing hospitality to others that visit. The arts impact our economy to the tune of an estimated $5 million annually … the arts definitely mean business in Ponca City.”

Nationally, the nonprofit arts industry generated $166.3 billion of economic activity in 2015-$63.8 billion in spending by arts and cultural organizations and an additional $102.5 billion in event-related expenditures by their audiences.

This activity supported 4.6 million jobs and generated $27.5 billion in revenue to local, state, and federal governments (a yield well beyond their collective $5 billion in arts allocations).

Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts, said “This study demonstrates that the arts are an economic and employment powerhouse both locally and across the nation.  A vibrant arts and culture industry helps local businesses thrive and helps local communities become stronger and healthier places to live. Leaders who care about community and economic vitality can feel good about choosing to invest in the arts. Nationally as well as locally, the arts mean business.”

The Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 study was conducted by Americans for the Arts and supported by The Ruth Lilly Fund of Americans for the Arts. Americans for the Arts’ local, regional, and statewide project partners contributed both time and financial support to the study.

Local partner organizations included Bison Bison Film Festival; Conoco And Phillips Petroleum Heritage Museums; Marland Estate Foundation; Marland Mansion and Estate; Marland’s Grand Home; Pioneer Woman Statue and Museum; Ponca City Art Association Inc.; Ponca City Arts and Humanities Council; Ponca City Concert Series; Ponca City Federated Music Club; Ponca City Herb Festival; Ponca City Library & Matzene Art Collection; Ponca City Main Street; Ponca Playhouse; Poncan Theatre Company; and Standing Bear Native American Foundation.

Funding for this project was provided by the City of Ponca City. Kelsey Wagner served as the local project partner and as such was responsible for the local implementation and data collection requirements of this customized analysis for the City of Ponca City. Oklahomans for the Arts acted as the local state partner.

Financial information from organizations was collected in partnership with DataArts™, using a new online survey interface. For a full list of the communities who participated in the Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 study, visit www.AmericansForTheArts.org/AEP5Partners.