Maine: Festivals' Contributions to the Economy

A new release from the Maine Arts Commission is Maine Performing Arts Festivals 2011: Economic Impact Study. The purpose of the research was to investigate the economic impact of Maine’s performing arts festivals by gathering information about the spending habits of festival audiences. Results indicate that festival attendees spent nearly $45 million in conjunction with their event participation. This spending reaches far beyond the festival presenters, supporting numerous businesses in the hospitality, food, transportation and service sectors. In total, Maine performing arts festivals supported 650 jobs and generated $3.9 million in local and state tax revenues. This study is the latest addition to a suite of publications produced by the Maine Arts Commission that documents a variety of ways in which the arts contribute to the economic well-being of the state. Additional reports include People, Place and Prosperity and Maine Museums: An Economic Impact Study. To learn more, contact Darrell Bulmer.