This finding - and regional data detailing the economic benefits of Connecticut arts - were the focal point of a day long Arts Day at the Capitol today.

Across the state, according to a Commission study, the arts:

·         Welcomed 24. 5 million people to its events - that’s about eight times Connecticut's total population;

·         Attracted 6.2 million tourists to its events;

·         Benefited from 2.7 million hours of assistance donated by more than 123,000 volunteers.

In Connecticut's First Congressional District, cultural organizations spend some $112 million a year in 1996 dollars. From 8.6 million admissions they generated a total income of $130 million and created $5.9 million in state and federal taxes

First District organizations employed some 6,593 people. In addition, they provide work for 2,650 artists and involve 37,304 volunteers. On a typical year, these volunteers donate more than 1 million hours of their time to support the arts in this region.

"These volunteers reflect a benefit of the arts we cannot measure in dollars and cents," Commission on the Arts Executive Director John Ostrout said. "Connecticut is a better place to live and work thanks to these volunteers and the arts organizations they help."

"The number one asset for which Connecticut is recognized is its quality of life and the arts have a lot to do with that," agreed Connecticut Economic Resource Center Director of Marketing Tom Bradley. "Connecticut's economy includes many technology-based industries which employ and are managed by well educated people. One of the things they look for is the extent and quality of a region's arts community."

"The arts may not always be what draws tourists to the state initially, but once they've come here and discovered the quality and number of our arts offerings, they stay longer or come back again," added Connecticut River Valley & Shoreline Tourism Council Executive Director Jackie LaBella.

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