Arts Mean Business

The Arts mean business in New Orleans!

New Orleans is home to a vibrant commercial and non-profit arts scene. For the past five years, New Orleans has been named as one of the top 15 arts destinations in the country by American Style magazine. This ranking is based on the number, quality and variety of arts offered in a city and by the number of visitors attracted for that reason.

New Orleans also boasts more than 150 top-quality art galleries, more than 20 world-class museums, dozens of exquisitely restored historic homes, 25 theatres of live productions, and scores of cultural festivals. Add to that the oldest Opera house in America and this country's only musician-owned symphony, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra.

In recognition of the significance the arts play in the New Orleans economy, the economic development arm of the Chamber of Commerce, Greater New Orleans, Inc. recognizes arts and entertainment as a specific industry cluster--along with technology, maritime, energy and other more traditional industries.

The study, which measures non-profit arts impact (only a fraction of the total arts and entertainment industry), found that over 6 million people attend arts events in New Orleans and spend an average of $31 per person above the cost of admission. More than 10,000 full-time equivalent jobs are supported by the non-profit arts industry which generates $31 million in state and local tax revenue.

The business of arts is alive and well in New Orleans.

For more information on how your business can become part of the New Orleans arts scene, contact the Arts Council of New Orleans, 225 Baronne Street, New Orleans, La. 70112 (504) 523-1465 or visit: www.artscouncilofneworleans.org.