The Arts Mean Business!
That’s the message as the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance (SPAA) announces the Arts & Economic Prosperity® 5th study for Pinellas County.
Americans for the Arts, the nation’s non-profit organization advancing the arts and arts education, is conducting the study nationwide. It’s the fifth study over the past 20 years to measure the impact of arts spending on local jobs, income paid to local residents, and revenue generated to local and state governments.
The SPAA also is excited about its upcoming MUSE Awards Benefit … the major fund -raiser that celebrates artistic inspiration. The unforgettable night of gourmet fare, art and entertainment is set for Friday, January 29, at the downtown Museum of Fine Arts. (See accompanying story for details.)
SPAA Executive Director John Collins told Paradise News, “As one of nearly 300 study partners across all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, the Arts Alliance will collect detailed financial data about our county’s nonprofit arts and culture organizations including theater and dance companies, museums, festivals and arts education organizations.”
“Many people don’t think of nonprofit arts organizations as businesses, however this study will make clear that the arts are a formidable industry in our community — employing people locally, purchasing goods and services from local merchants and helping to drive tourism and economic development.”
“This study is a major year-long commitment for us; however we believe it is essential to have Pinellas County represented. We will partner with all our Pinellas Arts colleagues to collect surveys from attendees at arts events using a short, anonymous questionnaire that asks how much money they spent on items such as meals, parking and transportation and retail shopping, specifically as a result of attending the event. Surveys will be collected throughout 2016, with results released in June of 2017.” “As we did with the Arts Shine Here economic development report for St. Petersburg, I expect this study will demonstrate that when we support the arts in Pinellas, we are making an investment in an industry, one that supports jobs and generates government revenue and is a cornerstone of tourism.”
Previous studies have shown that the average attendee spends $24.60 per person, per event, beyond the cost of admission. Those studies have also shown that, on average, 32% of arts attendees travel from outside the county in which the arts event took place, and that those cultural tourists typically spend nearly $40 per person — generating important revenue for local businesses and demonstrating how the arts drive revenue for other businesses in the community.
Collins added “Our Arts Alliance also will be raising funds to conduct the Pinellas County study. Currently nearly 300 regions are participating, including 13 statewide partners, 100 cities or towns, 113 counties, 46 multi-city or multi-county regions and nine cultural districts.”
Board Urges Support
The SPAA board of directors is completely supportive of the Arts & Economic Prosperity® 5 study.
Among the comments:
Wayne Atherholt, Director, Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs and ex-officio member, told Paradise News, “It is critical that St. Petersburg and all of Pinellas County participate in the Americans for the Arts Study. This is a national survey on the economic impact of the arts and I’m very happy our St. Petersburg Arts Alliance could step up and take the lead on this countywide survey. The St. Petersburg Arts Alliance is our primary contract agency for the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs.
We rely on them to implement so much of what the city’s initiatives are and the alliance does an incredible job – as it represents all arts organizations from all over the city.”Added Board Chairman Richard Wood, COO, Eagle Datagistics, “We are delighted to be asked by our countywide arts and cultural non-profits to produce the study for the Americans for the Arts. Since Pinellas County has not had a study produced in ten years, we are eager to play a role in the study and encourage the community to participate in the upcoming MUSE fund-raiser.In addition, we will re-engage our colleagues from the PinArts coalition to work with us. This study fits with our recent SPAA 3 year strategic plan, and our data analytic approach to the business of the arts.”
Duncan McClellan, Board member, glass artisan and strong SPAA supporter said, “The SPAA is playing a major role in the overall development of the Tampa Bay area, as illustrated by the New Study of Economic Impact of the Arts and Culture. The Arts Alliance is a wonderful umbrella organization, supporting every arts discipline in the area. Through the power of Art, the neighborhoods, culture and community of the St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay areas have been radically changed. Our MUSE gala brings entire communities together in wonderful ways, promoting camaraderie around art and celebrating the area’s artistic and cultural diversity.”
SPAA’s John Collins emphasizes, “Since we launched in early 2012, our St. Petersburg Arts Alliance has strived to be the community voice, the umbrella organization for the arts — facilitating artists, arts organizations and creative businesses to work collaboratively; empowering the growth of the arts community, and driving arts-related economic development.”
To donate to the Arts & Economic Prosperity® 5 study for Pinellas County visit www.stpeteartsalliance.org.
SIDEBAR- SPAA Annual MUSE Awards Benefit, January 29, Museum of Fine Arts
SPAA’s major fund-raiser celebrates artistic inspiration, as the MUSE Awards will again be an unforgettable night of gourmet fare, art and entertainment. Executive Director John Collins invites the community to “join us for this must attend annual event – Friday, January 29 at the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg.”
Adds City Cultural Affairs Director Wayne Atherholt, “The MUSE awards event is a fun and celebratory evening that I always enjoy. It is a great opportunity to recognize people who have contributed so much in the arts. We are very lucky to have so many incredibly creative people amongst us – it is what gives St. Petersburg that intangible vibe and energy that is felt in so many districts and neighborhoods throughout the city.”
MUSE will again be an unforgettable night of gourmet fare and art for sponsors, art patrons, artists and creative business owners. No stiff tuxes, no boring speeches, no sit-down, rubber chicken dinner – just art, camaraderie and a great ‘pARTy’ to celebrate the Muses of St Petersburg.
MUSE recognizes the breadth and beauty of art and culture in St. Petersburg, and honors the “Muses” who continue to inspire and guide our city to its standing as an international arts destination.
Proceeds benefit the Arts Alliance’s programs and services including ArtWalk, ArtBeat, Arts Education, the SunLit Festival, and the lamppost banners displayed around the City proclaiming “The Arts Shine Here!”
The MUSE 2016 Visual Arts Award goes to Steven Kenny. His 26×40, oil on canvas – “The Pinnacle” depicts a moment of creative equilibrium. A ballet dancer gracefully balances on the pinnacle of a mountaintop at the height of her artistic potential. Her feet rest on the black egg of inspiration from which future ideas will be born. She wears a tutu made of twigs an imaginative nest of her own design in which she feels perfectly at home. Her headdress is a white bird, a symbol of expression, freedom and visionary innovation. Artist pulled and autographed prints are now available online for $150 with a portion contributed to SPAA. They can also be ordered at the event. For more information on Steven Kenny’s work: www.stevenkenny.com.
Each year, Duncan McClellan, artist, Board member and strong SPAA supporter, has been asked to make a special award for deserving recipients. “I am honored again,” he said, “to make a very special bow of thanks for Steven Kenny and other very special MUSE honorees. This is one of many examples illustrating how the SPAA pulls together the Arts community, encouraging them to support, promote and celebrate each other.”
Last year’s benefit sold out! Tickets are $100 for the pARTy at 7:30 pm and are $150 up to $25,000 for the Curator’s Sponsor Reception at 6 pm. For more information, access the website at stpeteartsalliance.org/event/muse-2016-tickets/
Story By Steve Traiman
[Editor’s Note: Thanks to John Collins, Wayne Atherholt, Richard Wood and Duncan McClellan for their excellent comments, background and photos.]
[Steve Traiman is President of Creative Copy by Steve Traiman in St. Pete Beach, offering freelance business writing services. He can be reached via email at traimancreativecopy@gmail.com.]