City to examine economic impact of the arts

The City Council has approved the arts commission’s request to

undertake an economic impact report regarding the arts in Laguna

Beach. The impact report was one part of the commission’s cultural

arts plan for 2005-10.

Laguna Beach was asked to participate in a national study being

undertaken by Americans for the Arts, the nation’s leading nonprofit

organization for advancing the arts. The purpose of the study is to

assess the national economic impact of spending by nonprofit arts

organizations and their audiences.

The yearlong study will begin in 2006. The total cost of the study

is $6,500, $2,000 of which will be provided by business improvement

district funds, $2,000 by the Laguna Beach Alliance for the Arts and

$2,500 by the Laguna Beach Visitors and Conference Bureau.

“It is important to have a better understanding of the role of the

arts in Laguna Beach,” Cultural Arts Manager Sian Poeschl said. “This

yearlong program will help evaluate the economic impact of the arts

and will be a valuable tool for the city, Laguna Beach Visitors and

Conference Bureau and the Laguna Beach Alliance for the Arts.

“The findings will help assist in long-term planning and future

projects and provide guidance for a creative community,” Poeschl

said.

-- By Suzie Harrison