The document summarizes findings from a 2006 report by UB's Regional Institute about the economic impacts of arts and culture in Buffalo Niagara. Some key points: - The 22 largest arts/cultural assets studied supported 3,819 jobs and had a $264 million economic impact in 2005. - These organizations generated $9.65 in economic activity for every $1 of public/private funding. - The report concluded arts and culture are a powerful economic engine and some form of dedicated public funding is needed to support regional organizations.

1. Sustaining
Arts and Culture
In Buffalo Niagara
Summary of Findings
Report by UB’s Regional Institute (2006)
4/4/2009

2. Overview
• Purpose of this Overview
• Examine the economic impacts of arts and
culturals (A&Cs) in the two-county region
(Niagara & Erie)
• Review various other impacts that A&Cs have
on the community: quality of life
impacts, educational roles, community
development impacts, and others.
• Review the Conclusions we’ve drawn from the
UB Report.
4/4/2009

3. Economic Impact Findings
Assessed the economic impacts of 22 of the region’s
largest A&C assets and found:
• 3,819 Jobs supported by the survey group alone
(22 A&Cs) -- direct: 2,789; indirect: 435; and induced: 595
• $264 Million economic impact created (2005)
• Generate $9.65 of economic activity for each
$1.00 of contributed from public and private
sources.
• Attendance at the 22 A&Cs surveyed exceeds that
of the Bills, Sabres and Bisons combined.
• In 2005, the 2 million visitors to the 22 A&Cs
4/4/2009
spent $132 million.

4. Economic Impact Findings (continued)
• Generated over $11 million of sales tax revenue
for the State and the County in 2005:
• $6.3 million went to Erie County
• $5.2 million went to New York State
• However, A&Cs received back less than what
they helped generate in County support:
• $2.7 million in 2005
• $5.2 million in 2007
• $5.6 million in 2008
• Over 84% of U.S. cities/regions utilized public
dedicated funding to support their cultural assets.
4/4/2009

5. Why Are These Jobs Vital to the Region?
• These jobs are just as important as any other --
without them our region is at risk economically and
culturally.
• Unlike many other jobs, the loss of A&C jobs will
result in a direct loss of revenue because of the direct
revenues the A&Cs create.
• The Cultural Tourism Initiative Report (Oishei, et al
2005) shows A&Cs will enhance and grow the tourism
sector, which is vital to the region’s economic growth
and future.
• The importance of the tourism sector and specifically
A&Cs’ role in the growth and development of this
sector, which is vital to a diversified regional
economy, is widely recognized.
4/4/2009

6. Other Impacts of Arts and Culturals
Strong Arts and Cultural Institutions:
• Enhance efforts to recruit professionals
• Carry National/International recognition
• Provide citizen education programs/functions in
conjunction with our schools, colleges and universities
• Enhance the lives or our residents, including the provision
of needed social and human services (school
children, individuals with special needs, and others).
• Attract outside visitors to the region, bringing outside
dollars to the region
• Represent a critical component in growing a knowledge-
based economy
4/4/2009

7. Other Impacts of Arts and Culturals
• Major partners in our educational system-field trips/enrichment:
– Zoo: 35,000 school children per year
– BPO: 25,000 students per year at Youth concerts
– Shea’s: Introduces 10,000 students per year to live performing arts
• Numerous continuing & adult education services to residents.
– BECHS-UB’s African Am. Studies Dept-NFTA exhibit & program at
area malls and public venues on WNY’s role in furthering civil rights.
• Specialized programs for the region’s special needs population:
– Albright Knox serves over 2,000 special needs participants per year
through their Matter at Hand program (sight impaired program).
• Collaboration, unique offerings, and community involvement:
– Over 5,000 volunteers among Erie County A&C organizations
– Stabilizing and revitalizing neighborhoods and towns (Michigan
Street Heritage Corridor; Zoo/Parkside neighborhood; Science
Museum as East side community HUB; Graycliff as Southtowns
anchor)
– Buffalo Science Museum outreach to Community Centers’ staff on
programs
4/4/2009

8. Other Impacts of Arts and Culturals
Our A&Cs infrastructure is priceless. Many A&Cs are
making major capital/infrastructure
improvements, including:
•Darwin Martin House: $50 million renovation
•Buffalo Zoo: $26.5 million in capital projects since 2001
•Michigan Avenue Heritage Corridor: $1.475 million in 2006-2007
•Burchfield-Penney: $28.5 million new Museum
•Historical Society: $1.25 million in recent building restoration work
•Graycliff: $1.6 million restoration phase underway
•Botanical Gardens: $2 million completed; $9 million over next 7 yrs
•Frank Lloyd Wright Boathouse: $3.5 million new waterfront facility
•Roycroft Campus: $500,000 to date; $5.5 million over next 2 yrs
•Buffalo Transportation/Pierce Arrow Museum: $3.3 million new build
These Projects create and support hundreds of
construction jobs.
4/4/2009

9. What Did We Conclude from the Report ?
1. Arts and Cultural organizations are a powerful
economic engine worthy of investment.
2. It is vital that our A&Cs have some continuity and
assurance of at least a base-level of public funding
in order to plan, operate and develop programs.
3. Some form of a dedicated funding stream must be
implemented for WNY’s arts and cultural
organizations.
4/4/2009