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 is sharing the Dayton Region results with our community in mid-January 2024. We are  hosting Randy Cohen, Vice President of Research for Americans for the Arts, in the Dayton/Springfield area for several presentations on the local study results.

The public is invited to join us on the morning of Tuesday, January 23rd. Find out more and get the link to register for this free event HERE.