Given the results of the most recent Americans for the Arts study, “Arts & Economic Prosperity 5,” it’s no coincidence Providence is known as the “Creative Capital.” In fact, it would seem the city has little to no competition for the title.
Based on fiscal 2015 data, local nonprofit arts and cultural organizations had a $205.8 million economic impact on Providence. Other cities and regions of comparable size – 100,000 to 249,999 – saw a median economic impact of the arts of $31.4 million, while the median for all surveyed regions in the United States was $35.8 million. The study estimated that the arts support 5,115 full-time job equivalents in Providence, compared with a median of 1,046 for similar population centers and 1,131 for all surveyed regions across the nation.
“I have no doubt people will say more can be done, but given our size I think there’s a significant amount of support” for these groups, said Neil D. Steinberg, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation.
Based on PBN research, in 2015 2.7 million people attended arts and cultural events in Providence. For a city whose population is just shy of 180,000, that is a strong response to art and culture.
More than strong volume, however, Steinberg noted the support is demographically diverse, saying “it’s spread evenly across age groups.” The report shows the highest attendance from residents among millennials and younger (27.2 percent), then 65-plus (25.9 percent), 35-44- and 45-54-year-olds are tied (17.7 percent) and 55-64-year-olds are least likely to attend events (11.6 percent). Among nonresidents, millennials still hold the top spot (at 23.6 percent), although the overall distribution skews a little older.
This response doesn’t surprise Steinberg. “The label ‘Creative Capital’ wasn’t just picked out of thin air. There’s a long history of creativity, appreciation of the arts,” he said. “Our arts and cultural institutions aren’t anything new. We’re building on our history.”
Based on past Americans for the Arts studies, Providence’s arts and cultural sector has had a robust economic impact for years. The last Arts & Economic Prosperity report – a product of fiscal 2010 data – estimated total economic impact of $190 million. The Washington, D.C.-based group estimated the arts then supported 4,669 FTEs in the city.
But what does the future hold for nonprofit arts in Providence, especially given potential arts spending cuts from President Donald Trump’s administration?
Stephanie P. Fortunato, director of the department of Art, Culture + Tourism for Providence, believes the city’s strength is built into its DNA. Providence’s The Steel Yard, New Urban Arts and AS220, what she called “anchor cultural institutions,” attract and retain talent, while local colleges such as Rhode Island School of Design graduate students who can pursue a full-time artist career. Design thinking has become a core competence many businesses desire, further pushing creativity into the overall economy.
“The research shows a healthy and equitable, vibrant sector is good for everyone. Arts dollars support many local industries,” she said.
But it’s more than that. “The arts aren’t just nice, they’re necessary,” Fortunato added.