Brevard Cultural Alliance Releases Economic Impact Study

By  //  June 29, 2014

STUDY: BCA ADDS $68.5 MILLION TO LOCAL GDP

ABOVE VIDEO: Mike LaFortune, Past Chairman of the Brevard Cultural Alliance, announces results of the 2014 study on economic contributions of arts and culture on Florida’s Space Coast.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The Brevard Cultural Alliance, the professional organization representing the arts and cultural sector on Florida’s Space Coast, hosted a presentation of the organization’s 2014 economic impact study on Tuesday evening at the Hilton Rialto in Melbourne.

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BCA-ECONOMIC-REPORT-388-2
The Brevard Cultural Alliance released “The Economic Contribution of Arts & Culture to the Space Coast,” a study reflecting the latest economic impact figures for Brevard County’s arts and cultural sector in sales, GDP and employment. Click on the above image to see the entire report.

The Brevard Cultural Alliance released “The Economic Contribution of Arts & Culture to the Space Coast,” a study reflecting the latest economic impact figures for Brevard County’s arts and cultural sector in sales, GDP and employment.

The study, commissioned from business consulting firm Praecipio EFS, examined the overall economic contributions of 66 participating cultural organizations in Brevard County from 2013.

Dr.  Mike Slotkin of Praecipio EFS presented the findings of the economic study.

The arts and culture segment of the Space Coast is responsible for direct employment of 1,189 adults in the area, as well as $119,367,000 in total sales, and $74,600,000 in direct sales,” said Slotkin.

“The $119 million in total sales from the Space Coast’s arts and culture industry represents a 22 percent increase from 2012 to 2014.”

Speakers included Florida Sen. Thad Altman, who noted that the Space Coast competes with other markets for new residents and employers.

 Thad Altman
Thad Altman

“When employers recruit new employees, quality of life is always a consideration. What the local arts community offers is important to our communities development.” said Altman.

High Points of the 2014 Study:

• The local arts and cultural sector contributes more than $119 million in sales (up from $72.6 million in the 2012 study)
• The sector adds $68.5 million to the local GDP (up from $42.8 million in 2012) and provides 1,582 direct and indirect full and part time jobs (up from 855.1 in 2012)
• Audience expenditures increased from $50.6 million (2012) to $78.8 million

The Brevard Cultural Alliance (BCA) is a private nonprofit, 501(c)3 agency incorporated in 1975 and designated as the local arts agency for Brevard County.

BCA Director Neil Levine
BCA Director Neil Levine

“The results of this study were illuminating,” said BCA Director Neil Levine.

“We are working hard to ensure the continued upward momentum of the sector and its contributions to the local economy. This year’s results are the reflection of a robust sector that continues to grow and we are pleased to serve as a catalyst for that growth.”

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The BCA provides artist residencies in numerous public schools, has a thriving Art in Public Places temporary exhibitions program, helps build collaborative working groups on issues of importance to the sector, supports the development of cultural destination, and holds capacity-building workshops for artists and cultural organizations.

BCA-REPORT-275The BCA administers the County Community Cultural Grant program on behalf of the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners. BCA and the Space Coast Office of Tourism coordinate promotion of events for participating organizations through the Cultural Marketing Initiative.

The organization also promotes area artists, arts organizations and arts and cultural events to our residents and our visitors.

The BCA is led by a professional Staff and guided by a Board of Directors.

According to the BCA website, “Our vision is to promote Brevard County as a cultural destination in Florida, where communities are strengthened through embracing art and culture.”

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE BCA