National survey reveals the arts mean big business to three Hoosier cities
According to a 2002 Americans for the Arts nationwide study, America's arts industry generates $134 billion in economic activity every year, resulting in more than $24 billion in tax revenues as well as generating 4.85 million jobs and $89.4 billion in household income. For three Indiana cities included in the survey, the arts mean big business.

Bloomington, Lafayette / Tippecanoe County, and Indianapolis were among 91 cities, towns and communities in the study commissioned by AFTA. These cities reflect a major metropolitan area (Indianapolis), a city of less than 100,000 population, (Bloomington), and a community of less than 250,000 (Lafayette / Tippecanoe County). Bloomington and Lafayette / Tippecanoe County were also selected to reflect more rural influences.

For these three communities alone, the nonprofit arts industry generated a total of nearly $349.5 million in economic activity during the survey period of 2000 to 2001, including almost $187.2 million in arts organization spending and $162.3 million in events-related spending by arts audiences.

The $349.5 million generated by the nonprofit arts industry in these three Indiana communities also is responsible for generating:
1. 12,317 full-time equivalent jobs
2. $269 million in household income
3. $12 million in local government tax revenues
4. $24.4 million in state government tax revenues
View the full Survey Results here: http://www.americansforthearts.org/EconomicImpact/

The arts play a significant role in Indiana's economic development. From major cities such as Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, where the arts and related businesses rank among the top 10 industries for employment, to smaller cities such as Rising Sun where the arts are the foundation of the city's economic development initiatives, the arts of Indiana are an economic force.
The arts also help Indiana-based companies, such as Eli Lilly in Indianapolis and Subaru Motors in Lafayette to not only attract, but retain employees. According to one Subaru official, diverse artistic opportunities and quality schools were among the key factors in the company choosing Lafayette as the site for their manufacturing plant.
Recent economic impact statistics reveal the arts and related business and industries are responsible for 31,497 full-time jobs in Indiana, and generate more than $598 million in annual household income for Hoosier artists and their families.
Taxes from arts industry wages and purchases generate just over $65 million in annual state government revenue, and just over $41 million to local governments entities.