The arts in West Hollywood mean big business. That’s what a new report says and that’s what the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce emphasized at its annual State of the City luncheon held Thursday.
“The arts are a thriving industry in West Hollywood,” said chamber president Genevieve Morrill. “It’s a $29 million industry that supports 776 full time jobs.”
Hundreds of businesses involved in the city attended the luncheon held in Fiesta Hall in Plummer Park where arts was the theme of the day. Tiny canisters of paints and brushes served as the centerpiece for each table, people encouraged to use them to draw on the white paper table cloths.
Mayor Jeff Prang said the city relies of the economic health of the creative sector and that artists, writers and performers “contribute to the strong quality of life and drive economic development.”
City Manager Paul Arevalo addressing the group via a video presentation said the arts creates a multiplier effect and transforms an ordinary city into a “destination city.”
The report shows that nonprofit arts and cultural organizations spend $20.7 million and help generate an additional $8.5 million in spending by attendees in the form of meals and drinks before or after an event, souvenirs, parking, lodging and such. Residents spend an average of $22.28 per person per event beyond the ticket price; non-residents spend an average of $50.78 per person per event.
This spending supports the equivalent of 776 full-time jobs and generates $24.5 million in household income to local residents. It generates $1.2 million in tax revenue to the city and $1.5 million in tax revenue to the state.
The report titled Arts & Economic Prosperity IV was conducted by Americans for the Arts.
