Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo

Strengthening the Region as a Center for Arts and Culture

arts

The Greater Buffalo region has a rich and diverse history of arts and cultural organizations including a wealth of visual and performing arts groups. However, in recent years, many of our cultural resources have been challenged by the local economy and continued decline in government funding.

From a cultural tourism standpoint, the Buffalo Niagara region has great potential as a visitor destination filled with world-class arts, culture and heritage attractions. Sustaining and strengthening our significant cultural assets will stimulate a powerful economic engine that positively impacts the quality of life in Western New York on multiple levels.

Why it Matters:

UB Regional Institute’s 2006 report “Sustaining Arts and Culture in Buffalo Niagara,” studied 22 organizations and the $264 million economic impact they generate in the region, including:

  • Return of $9.65 for every dollar contributed by public and private donors
  • Support of 3,819 full- and part-time jobs in Erie and Niagara Counties
  • Generation of $11.4 million in sales taxes, of which $6.2 million went directly to Erie and Niagara County government

Learn more by reading our Community Impact Report on this topic:

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