How the Arts are Helping Alexandria

Did you know that the arts are a major economic booster? That's what expert Randy Cohen from DC-based arts group, Americans for the Arts, presented last Tuesday. And Alexandria has a wealth of arts organizations that help keep artists and arts lovers employed and engaged. So much so that the City was named one of America's Top ArtsPlaces.

Here are a two ways the arts have helped Alexandria: 

1. It's a major employer. 

With 1,774 full-time staff employed by arts organizations, arts organizations in Alexandria make up a large portion of nonprofit employees. 

2. It helps everyone. 

Arts brought in about $4.1 million in revenue to the City - that's not just ticket sales. That's the whole system from parking, to drinks before and dinner after. The arts affects businesses all around the area. 

To learn more about the arts in Alexandria, visit the Office of the Arts.