Study Shows Arts & Culture Contribute Over $19M to Newton Economy

NEWTON, MA — A recent study published by Newton Community Pride and a team of MBA students at the Brandeis Heller School for Social Policy and Management found that arts and culture contribute over $19 million to the local economy.

The Newton Arts & Culture Economic Impact Report was part of the Heller School graduate program, which selected Newton Community Pride out of thirty proposals for an in-depth analysis and study.

“We were thrilled to have been selected this past spring for the Heller MBA Capstone Project," said Gloria Gavris, Board Chair of Newton Community Pride, in a statement. "This report reinforces and amplifies what we have known and advocated for all along – the arts are vital to the economic vitality of our village centers and provide our residents, now more than ever, individual happiness, joy and connectivity to our community."

Highlights from the Brandeis report include the following:

• $19,305,690.00 contributed to the local Newton economy from the arts & culture community
• 651 full-time equivalent jobs supported
• $681,533 revenue generated to the City of Newton
• $14.66 spent per person on average at events this summer at local businesses
• 98% of arts & culture attendees report that the arts bring them joy & happiness
• 65% of arts & culture attendees report that the arts positively impact their well being
• 63% of arts & culture attendees report that the arts make them feel connected to Newton

"The Heller Social Impact MBA capstone project is the year end highlight in which students who have completed their MBA coursework offer pro bono management consulting services to nonprofit organizations such as Newton Community Pride as part of the Heller commitment to provide service to our neighboring communities as well as a learning experiences for our students," said Heller Associate Professor Lawrence Bailis in a statement.

Newton Community Pride is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to build community through arts and culture programming, beautification projects, and local volunteer work. For more information, click here.