Arts and culture not only enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors in a community - the creative economy is a vital element in building and sustaining unique and diverse communities. By working together cultural organizations, working artists, and creative businesses contribute to the local economy by providing jobs, supporting other local businesses, and local revenue.

The City of Alexandria Office of the Arts works with leaders in the industry to track and measure the vitality and impact of the arts in our community.

The Arts and Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) study was conducted by Americans for the Arts, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. Established in 1960, Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. This study - the largest of its kind with 373 diverse communities and regions representing 50 states and Puerto Rico. The City of Alexandria's Office of the Arts served as the lead study partner for the City of Alexandria

The AEP6 study provides compelling evidence that the nonprofit arts and culture sector is a significant industry in Alexandria—one that generated $111.5 million in total economic activity during 2022. This spending—$55.9 million by nonprofit arts and culture organizations and an additional $55.6 million in event-related spending by their audiences—supports 1,533 jobs, generates $84.9 million in household income for local residents, and delivers $19.9 million in tax revenues to local, state, and federal governments. This study sends a strong signal that, even in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting recession, the nonprofit arts and culture is a formidable industry. AEP6 demonstrates that when we support the arts, we are investing in Alexandria’s economic and community well-being.

To measure the impact of spending by arts and culture audiences in Alexandria, data were collected from 1,673 attendees between May 2022 and June 2023. Surveys took place only while attendees were attending the event. The 1,673 audience survey respondents in Alexandria were asked to provide the ZIP code of their primary residence, enabling research to determine which attendees were local residents (i.e., live within Alexandria City), and which were nonlocals (i.e., live outside that area). In the City of Alexandria, 38.0% of the 1.6 million nonprofit arts and culture attendees were residents, and 62.0% were nonresidents.

Nonlocal attendees spent an average of 52% more than local attendees ($39.79 vs. $26.11, respectively) as a result of their attendance to nonprofit arts and culture events in the City of Alexandria. The spending is above the cost of admission or tickets, such as dining out or purchasing of souvenirs. As would be expected from a traveler, nonlocal attendees typically spend more in categories like lodging, meals, and transportation. When a community attracts cultural tourists, local merchants reap the rewards.

To view an infographic of the City of Alexandria's AEP6 finds, click here. 

To view the City of Alexandria's AEP6 study findings, click here.