Economic Impact & How We’re Funded

Arts Organizations Flex Economic Muscle

Similar to its counterparts nationwide, Arts Council of the Valley (ACV) supports local economic vitality in myriad ways.

“In 2022, nonprofit arts and culture organizations added an estimated $73.3 billion to the nation’s economy, supporting 1.6 million jobs, providing $65.4 billion in household income, and generating $18.3 billion in total tax revenue. This is the impact of just organizations—festivals, performing and visual arts organizations, history and heritage centers, public art programs, museums, community arts programs, living collections, and more. It does not take into consideration the additional induced spending by their audiences.” – Americans for the Arts, AEP6

ACV Grants Expand Arts Opportunities

Twice each year, ACV pumps thousands of dollars into the local arts infrastructure through its Advancing the Arts grants. Successful grant proposals must advocate for the arts as a basic, central part of lifelong learning in the Harrisonburg-Rockingham area. Grant funding positions local artists and arts educators to complete creative projects that may not have otherwise been feasible. Many of the projects, particularly those in K-12 school settings, involve resources that are used for many years past the initial grant period. Since 2001, ACV has invested more than $498,300 in grant projects. However, more important than the money ACV spends on Advancing the Arts grants is the number of lives – in the tens of thousands – positively impacted by increased opportunities to experience music, theater, visual arts, poetry readings, and other art forms.

Pouring on the
Power of the Purse

First Fridays of the Valley arts experiences encourage commerce for the venues that participate directly in the program – gaining increased visitation on the first Friday of each month – as well as neighboring shops and restaurants that benefit from increased traffic in proximity to these events.

High-quality performing arts events (films, live music, theatrical performances, comedy, drag, improv) at Court Square Theater serve as an important draw for downtown economic activity. Many patrons who attend such events also choose to dine and shop in Harrisonburg as part of their experience.

Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6), an economic and social impact study commissioned by Americans for the Arts on nonprofit arts and culture industry, found that the typical cultural event attendee spends $38.46 per event above admission, contributing to valuable income for local business owners.

With an emphasis on affordable access to a variety of performing arts experiences and participation by diverse audiences (providing free/discounted tickets for people with economic disadvantages; accessibility seating and devices for hearing- and visually-impaired patrons), Court Square Theater boosts The Friendly City’s quality of life.

“Beyond its economic and financial impacts, arts and culture provides social contributions that benefit the wider community, such as neighborhood pride and cultural identity.” – Americans for the Arts

In addition to the magnetic value of the arts in drawing customers to area enterprises, arts organizations themselves function as businesses, reinvesting the money they receive into employee paychecks, and purchasing goods and services from local merchants. The arts form vital strands of the financial web in this community.

Plus, a vibrant arts community serves as an economic development tool, as companies seek to bring in new talent, individuals and families often want to know that a move to the Harrisonburg-Rockingham area will come with many opportunities to participate in enriching arts experiences.

Keeping Arts Organizations Strong

Arts organizations must secure adequate resources to offer accessible, engaging, and fulfilling arts experiences to their neighbors.

Arts Council of the Valley is able to consistently deliver exceptional arts programming to the City of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County through the wise use of pooled resources: local and state contributions, corporate sponsorships, individual donations, event-based fundraisers, and private grants. ACV has a cadre of dedicated donors, who vote with their dollars to show support for the programs they love, and the quality of life they realize abounds with a thriving arts community.

A portion of ACV’s ongoing operations is supported by the City of Harrisonburg and the Virginia Commission for the Arts (VCA). Although providing less than 10% of the total budget, local and state contributions do help defray some of the costs of managing aging facilities, compensating visiting and performing artists; and help keep event ticket prices affordable (with some free/donation-only opportunities), which allows greater community member access to arts experiences.

Sponsorships from local businesses, as well as individual donations form the backbone of many ACV programming initiatives. ACV also seeks financial support through private grants, such as those offered by The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.

Additional revenue is generated by program-specific events – such as artwork sales from Smith House Galleries exhibitions; ticket/concession sales at Court Square Theater’s films and live shows; and money given during ACV fundraising events.

Economic Impact & How We’re Funded

Arts Organizations Flex Economic Muscle

ACV Grants Expand Arts Opportunities

Pouring on the Power of the Purse

Keeping Arts Organizations Strong

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Pouring on the
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