WHEREAS, Americans for the Arts, in partnership with the United States Conference of Mayors conducted the third national economic impact of the nonprofit arts and culture industry in 156 communities in every state in the United States in 2006; and

WHEREAS, it was found that the nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $166.2 billion in economic activity annually, which supports 5.7 million U.S. jobs in communities ranging from large urban to small rural-an increase of 850,000 jobs since 2000; and

WHEREAS, the nonprofit arts and culture industry annually returns $12.6 billion in federal income taxes, $9.1 billion in state government revenue and $7.9 billion in local government revenue; and

WHEREAS, this new Arts and Economic Prosperity III study collected extensive survey data from 6,080 arts and culture organizations and 94,478 of their attendees; and

WHEREAS, data colleted from the 94,478 attendees at a range of events reveal an average spending of $27.79 per person, per event-in addition to the cost of admission-generating $103.1 billion of valuable revenue for local merchants and their communities annually; and

WHEREAS, 39 percent of audience attendees are non-local-living outside of the county-and spend more than twice that of their local counterparts: $40.19 vs. $19.43 per person; and

WHEREAS, findings from Arts and Economic Prosperity III study reveal that America's nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $166.2 billion in economic activity every year-$63.1 billion in spending by arts and culture organizations and an additional $103.1 billion in event-related spending by arts audiences-resulting in a significant benefit to the nation's economy: Total Expenditures ......................$166.2 billion Full-Time Jobs ............................ 5.7 million Household income........................$104.2 billion Local Government Revenue ................. $7.9 billion State Government Revenue ................. $9.1 billion Federal Income Tax Revenue............... $12.6 billion

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the United States Conference of Mayors supports the conclusions of the Arts and Economic Prosperity III study and urges mayors across the country to invest in nonprofit arts organizations through their local arts agencies as a catalyst to generate economic impact, stimulate business development, spur urban renewal, attract tourists and area residents to community activities, and to improve the overall quality of life in America's cities.