Denver-Area Arts, Culture Leave Impressive Economic Footprint

DENVER (CBS4) - As Denver Arts Week kicks off, a study released this week indicates that arts and culture events generated $1.85 billion in economic activity in the seven-county metro area in 2013.

According to a report from the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts, cultural tourism is up 17 percent since 2011. Artistic, cultural and scientific facilities drew 14.2 million visitors last year.

"The culture tourists were also spending more. We saw a 14 percent growth in their spending rate since 2011," Deborah Jordy with the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts said.

The city is not only seeing more artists, it's attracting more jobs associated with the arts.

In the last two years, 10,205 jobs in the arts, culture and science communities have been added, a 9.1 percent increase over 2011.

"These new jobs are cultures workers at our venues and facilities. They could be a zoo trainer, a dancer, a performer. On the back side, it could an accountant or someone in the marketing department. It crosses over from front of house to back of house," Jordy said.

The study drew data from nearly 300 organizations in the metro area.

To celebrate Denver Arts Week, Saturday night is a free night at 23 museums across the city.

Denver Arts Week runs Friday through Nov. 15.

LINK: Denver Arts Week events | CBCA.org