Planning Stage

	Literature Review Return to Literature Review The Arts & the Kentucky Economy Date February, 1998 Purpose of Study The purpose of the study was to measure the economic impact of the arts in Kentucky, and the arts in relation to quality of life. Methodology Three samples: 1) artists, craft artists & arts organizations; 2) 600 randomly selected households; 3) 600 randomly selected households that regularly attend arts performances Results 1997, $77.4 million was earned by artists, craft artists & individuals working for arts organizations. Economic impact in Kentucky due to arts spending, arts donations, or spending associated with an arts events (restaurants, hotels, etc.) was $41.5 million and 2,400 full-time equivalent jobs. It was estimated that Kentucky households together would be willing to pay $10.9 million in order to expand the arts performances by 25%. It was estimated that Kentucky households together would be willing to pay $21.8 million in order to avoid a 25% decline in the number of arts performances in Kentucky. The study provided a state and regional analysis of the economic impact of the arts. Assessments The arts universe caught in the study is smaller than the arts offered in Kentucky. Representation of arts organizations and artists in Kentucky is limited to those associated with the Kentucky Arts Council. The Kentucky residents' survey provides a definition for the term "art": musical, theatre and dance performances as well as exhibitions of paintings, drawings, sculptures and photography. It also includes paintings, drawings, sculpture and photography produced by individual artists." Definition excludes literature, media art and other forms of art that may be considered art to a particular culture such as floral design, fashion and culinary art. In another section of the report, individual craft artists were surveyed (individual craft artists -- artists that work with wood, fiber, ceramics, glass and metal – were surveyed). By surveying this group of artist, but not including "craft" art in the definition of art on the questionnaire for the Kentucky residents, limits the definition. To measure quality of life, attendance at arts performances, donations to arts organizations and willingness to contribute to the expansion of the arts or to the prevention of the arts being reduced was considered. The quality of life of the Kentucky residents in relation to the arts was not measured. The study makes an assumption that quality of life is increased because the arts organizations are doing well. The public opinion piece had a 20% return rate on the completion of interviews. A low percentage return rate may have more to do with an average low per capita rate per square mile as opposed to other reasons, i.e. disinterest in the arts or the survey in general. Return to Literature Review