Posted 5 years ago
Press contact: Jessica Cabe | PR and Communications Manager, Chicago Loop Alliance jessica@chicagoloopalliance.com | 312-782-9160
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 18, 2019
CHICAGO—Chicago Loop Alliance has released a revised version of its 2018 “Arts in the Loop” economic impact study, which determines the economic impact of arts and culture in the Loop is $2.25 billion annually. The revised study features clarified and visualized data and includes a highlight on the impact of theatre, in celebration of the City of Chicago’s Year of Chicago Theatre.
The theatre numbers highlighted in the revised report appear alongside a new introduction from Judie Moore Green, chief development officer of the Auditorium Theatre and immediate past-chair of the Chicago Loop Alliance Board of Directors. These numbers show that in the Loop there are 11 major performing arts venues, more than 34,500 seats to view performances, $90 million spent by visitors on tickets and admissions, $233 million spent by performing arts institutions on operations and nearly 6,000 full-time-equivalent jobs supported by theatre in the Loop.
“Many of us have known for years that theatre has a profound impact on the Chicago Loop, but now we have the numbers to prove it,” said Michael Edwards, President and CEO of Chicago Loop Alliance. “When we released our ‘Arts in the Loop’ study last year, we heard from members of this sector that the data was helping them secure sponsorships and grants so they could continue their important work. There is so much great information in the report, and we hope it will continue to be a resource for arts champions.”
Data analyzed in the report came from arts institutions themselves as well as more than 12,000 online surveys completed by visitors to the Loop.
Chicago Loop Alliance’s Arts in the Loop Economic Impact Study was conducted by HR&A Advisors, Inc., and ArtsMarket, Inc., and was written by ArtsMarket’s Louise K. Stevens. Revisions to the study were made by Kalindi Parikh, Chicago Loop Alliance’s director of planning. The study can be found online.
About Chicago Loop Alliance
Chicago Loop Alliance’s (CLA) mission is to create, manage and promote high-performing urban experiences, attracting people and investment to the Loop. CLA is a membership organization as well as the sole service provider for Special Service Area#1-2015, and the Chicago Loop Alliance Foundation produces public art projects and events.
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