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LOCAL ARTS AGENCIES
WHEREAS, there are over 4,000 public and private local arts agencies in the United States; and
WHEREAS, local arts agencies strive to make the arts a part of the daily fabric of community
living; and
WHEREAS, local arts agencies have a unique understanding of local artists and arts
organizations and the cultural needs of the community; and
WHEREAS, 88 percent of local arts agencies present cultural programming in the form of music,
dance, drama, visual arts, arts in education, art in public places, festivals, literature readings, and
more; and
WHEREAS, 80 percent of local arts agencies provide public and private financial support to arts
organizations and artists; and
WHEREAS 74.7 percent of local arts agencies partner with local school districts to improve the
quality and quantity of arts education received by children; and
WHEREAS, business people and corporate citizens consider arts and culture as important factors
in deciding where to establish operations; and
WHEREAS, a 2002 study sponsored by Americans for the Arts shows that local arts agencies
and the arts organizations that they support have a major impact on national, state, and local
economies, including:
Total Expenditures: $134.0 billion
Full-Time Jobs: $4.85 million
Household Income: $89.4 billion
Local Government Revenue: $6.6 billion
State Government Revenue: $7.3 billion
Federal Income Tax Revenue: $10.5 billion
WHEREAS, reducing support for the arts will result in reduced economic activity, less vitality in
towns and cities, lower returns to federal, state, and local treasuries,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The United States Conference of Mayors
reaffirms the positive economic, educational and societal contributions and roles that these local
arts agencies serve in communities across the country.
©2003 U.S. Conference of Mayors | 
