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December 4, 2014 VOLU M E 51 | I SS UE 1 6 | 5 0 ¢
Northglenn-ThorntonSentinel.com A D A M S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
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Arts lead the way Study shows gains in economic impact
AT A GLANCE
By Clarke Reader
creader@colorado communitymedia.com Arts and cultural organizations do more than teach people about the world around them — they grow the economies of local communities That’s according to a recently released two-year study of 300 arts organizations in a sevencounty metro area. The Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA) released its biennial Economic Activity Study of Metro Denver Culture on Nov. 7, which demonstrates the enormous financial and social impact exhibited by organizations funded by the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District. The seven counties that receive those funds are Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder Broomfield, Denver, Douglas and Jefferson.
The CBCA released its biennial report on the arts and economy — the last report was in 2011: Total economic activity: $1.85 billion in 2013, up 5.1 percent Total economic impact: $520.8 million, down only 1.2 percent Jobs and payroll: 10,205 workers, up 9 percent; $150.7 million in payroll and expenses in up 4 percent Volunteers: 44,438 volunteers contributed 1.77 million hours — the equivalent of 851 full-time employees and more than $44 million in donated time Corporate giving: $10.4 million, up 8.4 percent Cultural tourists: Up 17 percent Projected for 2028 Total economic activity: $3.82 billion Total economic impact: $989 million Jobs and payroll: 16,582 jobs “The numbers are great and confirms what we ‘culturals’ have always known about the impacts the arts have,” said Cheryl McNab, director of Littleton’s Town Hall Arts Center. “The SCFD is a great bang for a taxpayer’s buck and produces some amazing things.” The SCFD distributes funds from a one-tenth of 1 percent sales and use tax to cultural facilities throughout the Denver metro area. The funds support cultural organizations whose purpose is to advance and preserve art, culture and science.
The study — conducted since 1992 — gives results taken from the 2013 calendar year and represents data gathered from about 300 organizations in the seven counties. The numbers paint a vivid picture of just how much arts contribute to the economy. According to the study, the combination of operating expenses, audience spending and capital expenditures totaled $1.85 billion in 2013 up 5.1 percent from 2011, and new money injected to the economy came to $520.8 million. That number is down only down 1.2 percent from 2011, when the state was still deep in the throes of an economic downturn. “The study results allow us to talk about what we can do as organizations in economic terms,” said Philip Sneed, executive director of the Arvada Center. “It’s easy for some people to think of the arts as a luxury item, but we’re job creators who provide real jobs for real people.” The jobs and payroll numbers showed significant increases with cultural and scientific organizations employing 10,205 people, up 9.1 percent from 2011. The organizations earned $150.7 million in payroll and expenses in 2013, a 4 percent increase. One of the most startling numbers is the number of volunteers who helped out organizations throughout the metro area: 44,438 volunteers contributed
D.L. Parsons Theatre, 11801 Community Center Drive, in Northglenn has long been a venue for the performing arts in the north metro region.Photo by Mikkel Kelly 1.77 million hours. That is the equivalent of 851 full-time employees and more than $44 million in donated time. “We have around 300 volunteers at the Arvada Center and they do all kinds of things — the biggest is ushering at our performances, but they also do tours and help with school groups,” Sneed said. “We count on them for everything we do.” Colorado saw the number of out-of-state tourists participating in local arts and culture events increase by 17 percent from 2011 an increase doesn’t only benefit arts organizations. “We have many people who go to restaurants and other businesses while they’re out for us,” said Susan Martin, Lakewood Cultural Center administrator. “And out of town performers stay in local hotels.” McNab, in Littleton, noted
downtown Littleton businesses near the Town Hall Arts Center are major benefactors of having a cultural center close by. Looking to the future, the CBCA study forecasts that arts benefits for the economy will only grow — by 2028 the organization projects $3.82 billion in economic activity and $989 million in economic impact. They also project 16,582 jobs by the same year. These numbers give new and rising arts groups a goal to aim for as they continue to grow in their communities. Lakewood’s 40 West Arts District “will qualify for the SCFD next year, and I think the study shows what the arts can do,” said Bill Marino, 40 West chair. “The whole state is seeing the effects of the arts — they elevate the quality of life while improving the economy.”
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P L EA SE R ECYC L E T H I S C OPY
The first four electric commuter rail cars that will be part of the RTD 66-car fleet starting corridor operations in 2016 recently arrived in Denver. Courtesy photo
Commuter rail cars on display New trains at Union Station for viewing By Vic Vela
vvela@coloradocommunitymedia.com Commuter rail transit is a couple of years away for much of metro Denver, but folks this week can view the high-speed train cars that will soon operate in suburban areas. The 70-ton, 85-foot long commuter cars currently are on display at Denver’s Union Station. There, the public can tour and learn about the Denver area’s soon-to-be newest mode of transit, through Dec. 6. The trains are located on the commuter rail
platform, directly behind Union Station, and will be on display 11-7 p.m. each day. The vehicles are among 66 commuter cars that will operate along four new rail lines that have been developed from a Regional Transportation Division FasTracks project. Three rails will operate beginning in 2016: The East Rail line will connect to Denver International Airport. The Gold Line will travel to Arvada and Wheat Ridge. And the Northwest Rail will serve Westminster. The North Metro Rail Line to Thornton will operate beginning in 2018. “Our community has been looking forward to this happening for a long time,” City of Thornton spokesman Todd Barnes said of the North Metro Rail Line. “We’re glad to see it starting to happen.”
Each commuter car can carry up to 232 passengers. The roomy cars will feature overhead storage areas as well as luggage and bicycle racks. And don’t confuse the commuter cars with the familiar light rail vehicles that have been operating in Denver since the 1990s. Similar to light rail vehicles, the commuter cars will also be powered by overhead electric lines. But the commuter cars are heavier and are capable of traveling up to 79 miles per hour. The vehicles can go longer distances and will make fewer stops than a light rail system. RTD spokesman Kevin Flynn said he’s not worried about any potential public confusion over the two modes of transit. “The bottom line is it doesn’t really matter what they call it as long as they ride it,” he said.