The Economic Impact Of Local Arts

Never underestimate the economic impact that the arts have here in the Mother Lode.

That was the overall message from B.Z. Smith, local arts advocate and storyteller, who was Wednesday’s KVML “Newsmaker of the Day”.

According to one national study, conducted in 2010, the arts had a $135 billion impact on the american economy.

According to Smith, if just one person drives from out of the area into the Mother Lode and goes to a theater show, that same person may grab a lunch or a dinner at a local restaurant, fuel up their vehicle, perhaps even spend the night in a local hotel and explore the local communities for some sightseeing or for some further entertainment.

Smith said, “Multiply that times several out of towners for just one show, and it is easy to see how quickly the local arts can have a significant economic impact in this area.”

Smith also encourages local residents to get out and explore the local arts scene; from paintings to music to crafts to stage productions and “discover things about your community that you may have either never known about or appreciated before”.

For more on the Tuolumne County Arts Scene, log onto http://www.centralsierraarts.org

For more on the Calaveras Arts Scene, log onto http://www.calaverasarts.org

The “Newsmaker of the Day” is heard each weekday morning on AM 1450 KVML at 6:47, 7:47 and 8:47am.