LA CROSSE, WI(WXOW)--According to the Arts and Economic Prosperity study, La Crosse's non-profit arts and culture industries are combined--a $9.4 million dollar industry.
Members from the Arts Alliance of La Crosse unveiled these findings Monday morning at The Pump House. Non-profit arts and culture organizations spend $3.3 million dollars a year---but they leverage $6.1 million dollars in additional spending by arts and culture audiences.
Vital revenue is being spent at local restaurants, hotels, retail stores, and even parking garages as an indirect result of cultural events.
"We know that the arts are important and they bring a lot of people into this area and so what I think we're really looking to do is to develop, develop a place for the arts, a place for people and patrons and artists to gather, and stimulate some economic growth," said Steve Michaels, the President of the Arts Alliance.
Local business partner, Cathy Tyink, co-owner of Wine Guyz said she isn't surprised with the results of the study.
"I think events have a huge impact on our business. You know for example, we get a lot of business from The Pump House, we have a good partnership with them and so we are super excited about the Theatre coming to this area and to enhance this historic piece of downtown La Crosse," Tyink said with excitement.
The new Community Theatre that's being built on Front Street is just one project in the area that Michaels hopes will ultimately stimulate economic growth.
Tyink and Michaels agreed--it's clear that La Crosse art and cultural events mean business for downtown.
