NEWPORT, N.H. — Art professionals, directors, elected officials and municipal employees gathered on Tuesday evening, March 12, to an invite-only event at the Newport Library Arts Center to celebrate and encourage the economic prosperity that art has in Sullivan County.
The hosts, Newport Library Arts Center staff Kate Luppold and Fran Huot, along with County Manager Derek Ferland, brought everyone together to highlight the results of a year-long survey, called Arts & Economic Prosperity 6, conducted by the Americans for the Arts. The study looks at the economic and social impact of nonprofit arts and cultural industry has on the county.
“It is the most comprehensive study that’s ever been done,” said Hout. “It covers 373 study regions from all 50 states and Puerto Rico, and that includes the Sullivan County study.” The Library Arts Center helped collect the data for the study, which covered the fiscal year of 2022.
The conclusion of the survey disproves the myth that there is not much art in Sullivan County.
“We’re very excited to see that people are traveling to Sullivan County for urban cultural experiences. So, this piece of data is really encouraging to us to see that 42% of audiences are coming from outside of Sullivan County,” she said.
In addition, the survey found that most attendees spent an extra $32.67, which is vital to strengthening local businesses. One of the most outstanding pieces of data is that 89% of the survey responses agreed that a venue or event they attended was a source of pride in their community.
Ferland said that one of the biggest takeaways from the results is that the arts are good for the economy and it’s good for the community.
“The report is exciting because it actually puts it all in black and white. It quantifies that impact, which helps elected officials and decision-makers realize, ‘Wow, this stuff actually matters,’ and now we have numbers that back it up.”
Luppold proudly states the results really do, “brings art to the table.”
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