Danbury-Based Cultural Alliance Helping With Economic Study Of The Arts

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. -- Making sure that the arts are a sound investment and drawing residents to events is important when it comes to planning for the future, say the leaders of two Fairfield County-based groups.

Angela Whitford, executive director of the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County, said the organization will be taking part in a national study to estimate the worth of the arts to the community.
Photo Credit: *Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County*

K Reakes

12/01/2015 4:00 a.m.

That's why the Norwalk-based Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County and the Danbury-based Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut are working to assist Americans for the Arts with its latest national economic impact study, dubbed the Arts & Economic Prosperity V Study.

The research project, which begins in January, will quantify the economic impact of the arts and culture industry in Fairfield County, providing valuable information on how many jobs and how much revenue the industry generates in the area, said Angela Whitford, executive director of the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County.

“We’re excited by the opportunity to once again participate in Americans for the Arts’ national effort to document the arts and culture industry’s impact in contributing to a robust economy.” said Whitford.

Spinnaker Real Estate Partners, located in Norwalk, will fund the project.

“Spinnaker Real Estate Partners is proud to be a sponsor of the Americans for the Arts’ Arts & Economic Prosperity V Study. The arts and cultural offerings in Fairfield County greatly contribute to strengthening local communities through meaningful economic development,” said Kim Morque, president of Spinnaker Real Estate Partners.

The survey is a simple one-page anonymous questionnaire that takes less than two minutes to complete. Volunteers will ask residents to complete the survey at public events and other venues.

The previous study completed in 2012 showed that the arts are big business for Fairfield County, producing $130 million in economic activity and supporting over 4,000 jobs annually. In addition, arts and cultural organizations generated an additional $10.5 million in local and state government revenue, during the time period of the previous study.

“We understand the importance of ongoing documentation of the tangible ways by which arts and culture impact and underpin a community’s economic climate, growth, and sustainability," said Lisa Scails, executive director of the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut. "Through this collaborative undertaking, we’ll be able to better serve all of our stakeholders.”

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