Randy Cohen, Vice President of Research at Americans for the Arts, visited Paducah, Kentucky this July to discuss the findings of the latest economic impact study he spearheaded. The report, titled Arts and Economic Prosperity 5, measured the impact of nonprofit arts and culture organizations in 341 study regions across the country, including the City of Paducah. Americans for the Arts partnered with the Paducah Convention & Visitors Bureau to collect data from local nonprofits and audience members.

The study found that Paducah’s nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $27.5 million in 2015, including $1.7 million in local and state government revenue. At a time when the arts are facing budget cuts both in Kentucky and nationwide, Cohen hopes that these figures can help convince lawmakers of the economic importance of the arts.

"We appreciate the arts; they improve our quality of life,” Cohen said. “But the fact is they are businesses. They employ people locally, they purchase goods and services in the community, they're members of the chamber of commerce, they're involved in the marketing and promotion of the city and the region. Arts organizations are good business citizens.”