In 2022, Culture Works made the significant financial and staff commitment to partner with Americans for the Arts to include the Dayton Region for their sixth economic impact study, AEP6. We joined 373 other communities across the United States and Puerto Rico in this effort and collected important data in Montgomery, Miami, Clark, and Greene Counties to measure the economic impact of arts and culture throughout early 2023. Data was collected via audience intercept surveys at events as well as via organizational surveys submitted by individual organizations or collected by Culture Works.

The data shows that investment in the nonprofit arts and culture industry builds the communities where people want to live and work. It is where entrepreneurs and creative economy businesses are launched and where nighttime economies flourish. When we prioritize diverse cultural expressions and traditions, it nurtures social connections, promotes community pride and identity, and boosts tourism by providing the authentic experiences that draw visitors to the community. If visitors have a positive experience, it may become a place to work—and ultimately one in which to live. Creating livable communities is economic development.

The national results of this study were released in October of 2023.  Culture Works  shared the Dayton Region results with our community in mid-January 2024.

View and download the study documents below:

Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 Study Results - FULL STUDY (62 pages)

Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 Study Results - Two Pager

10 Reasons to Support the Arts in the Dayton Region in 2024

Thank you to all who came out and attended the Culture Works Town Hall Meeting, or one of the additional presentations at the Dayton Rotary, in Tipp City, and in Springfield.

“The AEP6 report findings confirm again the economic value of arts and culture. Arts and culture continue to put millions of people to work in big cities and small towns across the United States, including many members of DPE’s affiliate unions. The AEP6 report also finds that arts and cultural productions are economic drivers for local economies by spurring consumer spending at restaurants, hotels, and other local businesses. Simply put, investment in arts and culture continues to deliver a positive economic return for American communities.”

JENNIFER DORNING
President, Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO