Arts In Denver Recovering From Economic Downturn

DENVER (CBS4)- A new study by the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts states the arts are recovering after a dip.

The CBCA on Wednesday released its measurement of the value of arts and culture in metro Denver and put that number at $1.76 billion. That's up 18.4 percent over the 2009 figure.

"We're seeing some great growth, which is exciting," said Deborah Jordy, executive director of the CBCA. She credited the higher figure with an improved economy and with Denver's arts and cultural groups becoming "more nimble and more innovative."

The assessment is done every two years, and for 2009 the figure showed economic activity tied to arts and culture was down along with the economy as a whole. Total economic activity fell to $1.46 billion from $1.69 billion in 2007.

The data is culled from applications for funding submitted the year before to the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District. The district collects sales tax revenue in the seven-county Denver area and distributes money to museums, theaters and other arts or cultural organizations. The SCFD distributed $41.9 million last year, down from a peak of $42.1 million in 2007.

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