Arts & Economic Prosperity is the national economic impact study of the nation's nonprofit arts organizations and their audiences.  The baseline study was conducted in 2000-2001 and was updated in 2007.  Art-Speak is greatful for the support of the Provident Bank Foundation, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and the City of Portsmouth for their financial support of this study for the seacoast area.

For the 2007 update, Americans for the Arts used a new Creative Industries research index, based on Dun & Bradstreet data, to map and report the number of arts-related businesses and employees in any geographic region or political jurisdiction in the country.

Americans for the Arts uses a sound research methodology to calculate the direct and indirect economic benefits of the arts on communities.  In fact, the U.S. House of Representatives' Congressional Arts Caucus consistently uses this economic impact data to support federal arts legislation.  Try it out for yourself.

The Arts & Economic Prosperity III study is composed of two parts:

Organization Surveys

The Organization Survey requested detailed information about eligible arts organizations' FY 2005 budget.  It was conducted electronically using Americas for the Arts' secure web-based survey system.   was combined to compile aggregate figures for our region. 

Audience Surveys

Audience Surveys were conducted at arts-related events.  They were a short, one page survey of attendees of events, exhibits, performances, or other arts activities.  These surveys measured the impact of event-related spending by arts audiences.  For example, arts attendees often eat a meal before the show, pay for parking and purchase souvenirs. This spending makes an important contribution to the local economy.

Click here for the complete report on the 2006-2007 data.

Portsmouth's participation in the Arts & Economic Prosperity III is generously funded by:

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