By Jacqueline Trescott
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, June 12, 2007

An economic study shows that arts spending in the Washington region has reached $2.15 billion, according to data released yesterday.

The District of Columbia handily outspent five other area jurisdictions, according to the study, with arts organizations putting $628 million into their productions, salaries and marketing. Second in the analysis of organizational spending was Arlington County, with $77.8 million.

The survey of local economic activity also measured audiences' arts-related spending beyond admission fees and tickets -- things such as meals before shows, transportation to concerts and parking. Such spending amounted to $118.9 million in the District. In Alexandria, it totaled $66.3 million.

Alexandria arts organizations spent $13.6 million on their operations. Montgomery County organizations spend $51.6 million and audiences spent $65 million.

The survey found that local people who went to an arts event spent an average of $22.91 per outing in addition to the cost of tickets; out-of-towners paid $82.08.

The survey considered the Smithsonian Institution, which is the main engine for cultural-related spending in the area, separate from other D.C. organizations, though its impact was counted in the final area totals. The Smithsonian and its audiences spent $951.3 million. That represented 45 percent of the total spending.

"Arts & Economic Prosperity III: The Economic Impact of Nonprofit Arts and Culture Organizations and Their Audiences in Greater Washington" was conducted by the Americans for the Arts. It is based on 2005 numbers provided by the organizations. It was sponsored by the Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. The study was a companion to a national report released last month that said the nonprofit arts sector generated $166 billion.

Economic impact surveys are done to provide information for city planners. They are also used as ammunition by arts organizations seeking support from governments and private investors.

"This is significant activity among nonprofits in the Washington region," said Nina Ozlu, the chief counsel of government and public affairs for Americans for the Arts. Ozlu presented the survey results at the Canadian Embassy.

The $2.15 billion in economic activity "doesn't seem exaggerated to me," said Stephen S. Fuller, professor of public policy at George Mason University. He has conducted studies for the Smithsonian and the Corcoran Gallery of Art. He cited the growing variety of cultural experiences available to the business traveler, tourist and residents.

The areas used for the Washington region were limited to the District, Prince George's County, Fairfax County, Montgomery County, Arlington County and Alexandria, which have a total of 3.6 million people. Only 30 percent of the groups responded to the survey, but Ozlu said that all the major institutions were included.

The Washington region arts organizations returned $163.78 million in taxes to local and state governments, according to the study.