Cultural alliance surveying art, culture lovers for study
The Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut is coordinating local participation in a nationwide Sixth Arts and Economic Prosperity study.
The biennial survey is sponsored by the Americans for the Arts non-profit organization that is based in Washington, D.C.
Americans for the Arts seeks to measure the impact of artistic, and cultural work on the economy.
The Cultural Alliance is seeking volunteers who will conduct surveys of people attending cultural events in the region.
Beginning in March, surveys will be administered at plays, art shows, poetry readings, and any other event that attracts people who love the arts and culture.
A fifth annual survey was conducted in 2015.
The information from the survey showed that Americans spent $166 billion annually on arts and culture expenditures.
The information also showed that the industry supported the equivalent of 4.6 million full-time jobs.
In Fairfield County, residents and organizations spent nearly $282 million on art, and cultural purchases, supporting 6,789 jobs, according to the survey.
The sixth survey was originally scheduled for 2020. The survey was delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Cultural Alliance hopes to complete a minimum of 800 surveys over several months in the 10 towns of the region that is represented by the Western Connecticut Council of Governments:
The 10 towns are: Bethel, Bridgewater, Brookfield, Danbury, New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown, Redding, Ridgefield and Sherman.
Arts and cultural organizations that would like to join the effort may sign up bit.ly/aep6_commitment.
Currently partnering in the survey effort are: the Ridgefield Arts Council, the Bethel Arts council, the Newtown Chamber of Commerce, Western Connecticut State University, Bethel Arts Inc., the Ridgefield Theater Barn, Bethel Jazz, the Northwest Arts Council, the Danbury Cultural Commission and the Thrown Stone Theatre Company.
Residents who would like to help conduct the surveys may contact Emily Denaro at aep6@cawct.org.
The alliance is a 501(c)3, and regional service organization serving 10 towns in the Danbury area.
The aspiration of the alliance is to improve access and growth of arts and culture to improve quality of life and the economy. The Connecticut Office of the Arts provides major support for the endeavor.