This paper presents an assessment of the economic influence of the arts in a small county in the USA. The arts in this community consist of university, non-profit and private-sector employers and individual artists. A discussion of the methodology used to estimate the impact is provided. Over one thousand arts patrons and 62 artists and arts organizations responded to the survey. The direct and indirect economic impact of the arts in the community was estimated to be US$24 million. Normative prescriptions are offered for arts and county administrators.
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