Report: Arts industry spurs $144M in economic activity in Winnebago County
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
Get our newsletter
ROCKFORD — The arts industry generated $144 million in economic activity in Winnebago County over the past year, according to a study released this week.
“That’s the economic impact. The arts also has the ability to inspire, to motivate, to educate and truly to heal,” Mayor Tom McNamara said on This Week in the Stateline. “It’s a huge impact and we’re fortunate to have a vibrant and growing arts community and culture in the city of Rockford.”
Related: New downtown lounge aims to foster Rockford’s creative community
The arts and culture impact study was conducted by the Region 1 Planning Council on behalf of the Rockford Area Arts Council. It also showed that arts spurred an additional $84 million spent in areas such as restaurants and bars, construction, manufacturing and retail.
“The ripple effect of the arts can be felt in all sectors of a thriving community,” Mary McNamara-Bernsten, executive director of the Rockford Area Arts Council, said in a news conference this week.
“One piece of music, the purchase of an original artwork, the experience of live theater, all of these have a ripple effect in our community through the employment of artists, the employment of those in the service industry, construction of new facilities, additional folks utilizing city and county services, additional people looking to buy a home or lease a space for their new business, and so on.”
The data in the study can be used when agencies like the Arts Council seek grants or other support for its efforts.
The Rockford Area Arts Council serves Boone, Winnebago, Ogle and DeKalb counties.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas.
