Philadelphia City Council to Hold Hearings on Economic Impact of Cultural Sector, Today

Tomorrow, December 3, Philadelphia City Council's Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs will hold public hearings regarding the impact of Arts and Culture on Philadelphia's regional economy.

The Cultural Alliance and more than 25 arts, cultural and civic leaders will attend on Monday, December 3, at 10 a.m. at City Council Chambers, Room 400, Philadelphia City Hall.

The hearings were prompted by Arts, Culture and Economic Prosperity, a recent report published by the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance which documents that the cultural sector has a $3.3 billion impact on the region's economy, provides 44,000 jobs and generates $1 billion in household income for residents, and generates $169 million in much-needed tax revenues for state and local governments.

Representatives of the City's business, culinary, tourism and cultural communities will testify about the importance of arts and culture to the wider economy.

Guests include:

Tom Kaiden - President, Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance

Karin Copeland - Vice President, Strategic Alliances, Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and Executive Director, Arts & Business Council Greater Philadelphia

Meryl Levitz - President & Chief Executive Officer, Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation

Ellen Yin - Owner, Fork Restaurant

Robert Zuritsky - President, Parkway Corporation

The Greater Cultural Alliance is a leadership organization of more than 400 nonprofit arts and cultural institutions located primarily in the five counties of southeastern Pennsylvania. Its mission is to make Greater Philadelphia one of the foremost creative regions in the world. The Cultural Alliance believes that Greater Philadelphia grows stronger and more vibrant by growing its arts and culture. The Alliance's work promotes that mission through initiatives that leverage arts and culture to inspire individuals and build community and civic engagement. These efforts include connecting cultural resources to community needs; providing direct services for nonprofit cultural organizations; leading cultural research, advocacy and policy work; and producing direct marketing programs for cultural consumers.

The Cultural Alliance's work reflects these key principles: Arts and culture is an engine for economic growth. It has the power to elevate lives. It has the power to educate. We own it, as residents of the Greater Philadelphia region, because it comes from us. It helps individuals come together and grow as a community.