Wednesday, July 12, 2017

In a recent op-ed, the editorial board of the Winston-Salem Journal voiced support for the arts as a major contributor to the local and state economies. The piece came as a response to Arts and Economic Prosperity 5 (AEP5), an Americans for the Arts study that examines the economic impact of nonprofit arts and culture organizations.

The data for Forsyth County, collected in partnership with the Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, is staggering—the nonprofit arts and culture sector contributes $156.8 million to the local economy. AEP5 also measured the state of North Carolina as a whole, and found that nonprofit arts organizations have a $2.12 billion impact statewide.

“The arts are not only a social, political and spiritual force, but an economic powerhouse that empowers its participants and enhances our reputation as a state,” wrote the Journal editorial board. “State and local governments should realize that, as well as donors.”

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Source Name: 
Winston Salem Journal
Author Name: 
Journal Editorial Board