Resolution No. 4474 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

~ [1 [] THE ARTS AND THE METROPOLITAN AREA [] Hundreds of thousands of people enjoy arts-related activities each year in our communit}T. n They are drawn by private theater companies, performing arts at the Hult Center and Cuthbert amphitheater, galleries, many types of performances at the University of Oregon and Lane Community College, museums, fairs and festivals. Unfortunately, no one source of information exists to provide an accurate number of total attendance. However, three sources do give an indication of attendance including: 1) results of a recent survey by Lane Arts Council (LAC) of 30 non-profit arts groups who receive Eugene transient room tax; 2) arts attendance estimates from the University of Oregon; and 3) ticket sales at the'Hult Center and Cuthbert Amphitheater. IJ fl i 1 f 1 .~ 1 j : I ~ 1 i ill "; l A " t i ARTS PARTICIPATION IN 1994: LAC SUITer (30 Organizations) 376,726 University of Oregon 149,000 Hult Center and Cuthbert Amphitheater 190,000 Many metropolitan residents attend a number of different events during the year so there could be double-count- ing. However, given the magnitude of these attendance figures, and given all the venues that are NOT listed, it is possible that metro area residents attend arts-related events more than a million times in a year. SOME ECONOMIC CONSIDERA TIONS The Lane Arts Council (LAC) survey illustrates the economic impact of the arts in the Eugene-Springfield area. The aggregate budgets of the 30 groups for fiscal year 1994 was more than $ 5.5 million. LAC calculates the resulting economic impact from attendance and participation in the arts and cultural events and activities of these 30 organizations at more than $15 million annually. However, the LAC survey does not address many other aspects of the local arts economy. It does not in- elude, for example, the Hult Center and Cuthbert Amphitheater, Saturday Market, arts and entertainment events at the Lane County Fairgrounds, or most activities in Springfield, at the University of Oregon or at Lane Community College. Nor does it include commercial venues and galleries or the impact of individual artists on the local economy. It is difficult to provide an estimate for these activities, but they probably exceed that of the 30 non-profit groups. Thus the economic impact from arts-related activities in the metro area may exceed $30 million annually. Population growth should boost the arts through larger audiences (and ticket sales) and a broader market for artistic products. The Lane Council of Govern- ments has recendy completed a set of population projections. While done primarily for an update of transporta- tion and land use plans, it is also helpful for us as we consider the future of the arts in Eugene-Springfield. The chart below shows population projec- tions for the metropolitan portion of Lane County from 1995 through the year 201 o. Population is expected to increase by 32,315 in the next 10 years and by 5 1,964 in the next 15 years. POPULATION PRO.JECTIONS Metro Lane County 5