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Poll results

Central Massachusetts is awash in arts and cultural institutions, ranging from traditional establishments like Fitchburg Art Museum and Worcester Art Museum to those more geared to up-and-coming area artists like ArtsWorcester, Framingham Artists Guild Inc., Blackstone Valley Art Association, and ArtsSpace Maynard. At $960 million, the arts and culture industry makes a significant economic contribution to the Central Massachusetts economy, but it remains well under sectors like manufacturing ($6.5 billion), health care and education ($5.8 billion), and retail ($2.7 billion). Cultural institutions are often cited as playing an outsized role in creating economic momentum and a sense of place for a community.

Relative to its real economic output, does the arts & culture industry play a substantial role in driving economic growth in Central Massachusetts?
Yes (63%, 67 VOTES)
No (37%, 39 VOTES)
Poll Description

Central Massachusetts is awash in arts and cultural institutions, ranging from traditional establishments like Fitchburg Art Museum and Worcester Art Museum to those more geared to up-and-coming area artists like ArtsWorcester, Framingham Artists Guild Inc., Blackstone Valley Art Association, and ArtsSpace Maynard. At $960 million, the arts and culture industry makes a significant economic contribution to the Central Massachusetts economy, but it remains well under sectors like manufacturing ($6.5 billion), health care and education ($5.8 billion), and retail ($2.7 billion). Cultural institutions are often cited as playing an outsized role in creating economic momentum and a sense of place for a community.

  • 106 Votes
  • 3 Comments
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3 Comments

  • December 19, 2022

    The economic benefits of the arts play out in non-attributable to these resources ways. They make communities more attractive places to live and work and spur participation in other related activities

  • December 19, 2022

    The economic data may be more difficult to quantify but the arts have the added benefit of greatly contributing to the quality of life.

  • December 19, 2022

    See Richard Florida's work on this topic.