Pictured: Aude Monde, Director of Advancement. Photo: Sorcha Augustine Photography.

After our second annual Arts Summit at Asolo Repertory Theatre in May, I ran into a local artist, and she said something I won’t forget. She told me that sitting in that room, hearing what was being said, she felt heard, and happy that there was an organization advocating for people like her.

That’s exactly why we do this. Not just to share information or run the numbers. But to remind every person who makes a living creating, and every professional who dedicates their career to making arts accessible, we amplify the work to ensure they know they’re supported.

Now let’s talk about those numbers. Because part of what made this Summit so powerful was watching people in the room react to data.

The arts and culture sector contributes more than $1.17 trillion annually to the U.S. economy, representing 4.2% of our GDP and supporting more than 5.4 million jobs. These aren’t fringe numbers. This is a major economic driver.

Right here in Sarasota County, our nonprofit arts and culture sector generates more than $342 million in annual economic activity, supports more than 3,600 jobs, and pays $176 million in income to local residents. Arts audiences spend an estimated $107 million annually beyond ticket prices, at restaurants, hotels, shops, and businesses throughout our community. We are a cultural economy. We’ve talked about it before, and we’ll continue to beat the drum, because it’s important. We aren’t economists, yet we know inflation has risen nearly 20%, while arts organizations have raised ticket prices by only about 10%. Median earnings for full-time artists grew just 5% between 2015 and 2023, while cumulative inflation rose 28%. The people doing this work are highly educated and deeply committed. They are also consistently underpaid. That’s not sustainable, and that’s part of why this conversation has to keep happening.

The Summit wasn’t only about economics. It was also about something harder to quantify, but just as real. Just two hours of arts engagement per week has been linked to significantly better mental wellbeing in adults. New research has connected long-term creative practice to younger-looking brains and lower biological aging markers. Nearly 70% of Americans believe arts and culture positively impact health and wellbeing, and more than 80% support public funding for arts initiatives tied to mental health outcomes.

Someone might look at a room full of arts leaders at an Arts Summit and say, “you’re preaching to the choir.” They’re not wrong. But here’s what I’ve come to believe: the choir needs to sing together sometimes. When you’re running an arts organization, actively pursuing funding, trying to serve your community, doing more with less, it can feel isolating. Getting everyone in the same room, singing from the same score, and realizing you are not alone in what you’re facing? That matters. That’s momentum.

I was also reminded that we need more voices at that table. It's for every organization doing the work, at every scale. If you've been on the fence about coming, consider this your invitation. The more of us in the room, the stronger the chorus.

One more thing before I close, because I get asked every year: no, the arts don’t slow down when the snowbirds head north. Sarasota’s cultural community is actively programming through the summer, with youth arts camps, performances, exhibitions, and community events that serve our year-round residents. Visit sarasotaarts.org to find what’s happening near you.

The work doesn’t stop. And neither do we.

Brian Hersh is the CEO of the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County. To learn more, visit sarasotaarts.org.

Pictured: Aude Monde, Director of Advancement. Photo: Sorcha Augustine Photography.