Conducted by Americans for the Arts, the Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 (AEP5) study documents the economic contributions of the nonprofit cultural sector nationally, as well as in 341 study regions. The Cultural Council sponsored the study for Palm Beach County and for five of the county’s largest cities: Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Jupiter, Lake Worth and West Palm Beach.
“By every measure, the results of AEP5 prove that the cultural sector in Palm Beach County generates significant economic activity, serves as a cornerstone of tourism and is an employment powerhouse.”
–Randy Cohen, vice president of research and policy at Americans for the Arts
The AEP5 study includes data from 79 cultural organizations in Palm Beach County. These results were combined with data from the 2015 Biennial Audience Survey that the Cultural Council conducts with 19 of the county’s largest organizations through its Tourism Development Council grant program (Category B).
Survey Findings
Arts & Economic Prosperity 5
Economic Impact of Cultural Tourism in Palm Beach County (FY2017)
Results from FY 17 Category B and C-II Organizations Attendee Surveys and Spending Data
“Collectively, all culture-related spending in Palm Beach County totaled more than $633.4 million during fiscal year 2015,” added Cohen. “These findings show conclusively that the arts mean business in The Palm Beaches.”
Nationally, the AEP5 study found that the arts and cultural sector generated $166.3 billion in economic activity in 2015 – $63.8 billion in spending by arts and culture organizations and an additional $102.5 billion in event-related spending by their audiences. This activity supported 4.6 million jobs and generated $27.5 billion in government revenue.
By the Numbers
