Nonprofit arts leaders in Springfield, Missouri have always known that arts and culture play a crucial role in the local economy, but now they have hard data to prove it. Arts and Economic Prosperity 5, a new study by Americans for the Arts, reports that Springfield arts and culture nonprofits generate $26.9 million in economic activity annually. The sector also supports over a thousand local jobs and generates over $2 million in local and state government revenue.

Americans for the Arts partnered with the Springfield Regional Arts Council to collect data from local nonprofits and audience members. Executive Director Leslie Forrester hopes the Arts Council can use the study results to advocate for increased public spending on the arts.

“Our esteemed representatives here know how difficult the budget situation coming up is, and has been,” Forrester said. “Part of our work is to represent all of our arts friends at the state and federal level.”