Bellevue’s nonprofit arts and culture industry made an extraordinary $54.3 million last year, boosting Bellevue’s economy, says a national study. Each person spending time at art events spends about $49.07 on various items, excluding admissions, which is more than $10 above the national average.
Lorie Hoffman, Bellevue’s Arts manager, noted, “Not only do the arts lift us up and make Bellevue a place you want to be, they are also a great economic investment.”
This study, called Arts & Economic Prosperity 6, researched the impact of arts and culture events. Over 850,000 people showed up at Bellevue’s art events in 2022. About 20% of them were tourists.
Bellevue’s many nonprofit arts organizations include KidsQuest Children’s Museum, Theatre33, the Bellevue Arts Museum, Tasveer Film Festival, Wintergrass Music Festival, and the International Ballet Theatre.
The City of Bellevue is a big supporter of arts and creativity. This has been seen with grants to local artists and art organizations, business support for creative economic enterprises, and the purchase of art for public display. This city’s Arts Program is part of the Cultural and Economic Development division.
In 2022, art-related events brought in $10.8 million and $43.5 million from people spending at local spots like restaurants and shops. This money supported 600 jobs and generated $10.5 million in local, state, and federal taxes.
Facts that stand out from the study –
20% of arts fans came from outside King County and spent about $108.35 each, excluding tickets.
84% of those attending the activity or venue agreed that it was a “source of neighborhood pride for the community.”
83% reported that they would ‘experience a feeling of loss if that activity or venue was no longer available.”
Americans for the Arts is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and education. They complete studies of arts economic impacts every five or six years, and this was the first time that they looked at Bellevue.
