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Tourism Industry & BACVA News

For Immediate Release: May 14, 2008

Media Contacts Only:
Tracy Baskerville
410-752-8632

Sara Hisamoto
410-659-7071

Americans for the Arts Selects Baltimore for 50^th Anniversary Celebration

Event will be the Largest Gathering of Arts and Community Leaders in the United States

Governor Martin O'Malley and Mayor Sheila Dixon announced today that Americans for the Arts has selected Baltimore to host its annual convention June 24-27, 2010. This is a significant development for Baltimore because it will bring more than 2,000 arts leaders, educators and artists from around the country to the city to commemorate a major milestone for the prestigious organization. For the convention, Americans for the Arts will use more than 4,000 hotel room nights and generate an estimated $2.5 million in direct spending to the region.

Americans for the Arts is the nation's leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. From its offices in Washington, D.C., and New York City, Americans for the Arts works with local communities and arts organizations around the country, including in Baltimore, to create opportunities for all Americans to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. It will celebrate its 50^th anniversary and the work of the U.S. arts community in 2010.

"We are excited to have the arts community and people of Baltimore as hosts of Americans for the Arts' upcoming 50^th anniversary celebration. The 2010 annual convention will be one of many programs that showcase the profound impact the nonprofit arts community has had on the nation over the last half-century," said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. "But it's not just about the past; it's about looking to the future, and Baltimore has done just that. Baltimore is a vibrant and creative city that incorporates a rich cultural history into the numerous arts offerings it brings to residents and visitors, alike."

The bid to host Americans for the Arts was a statewide effort that included the Maryland Office of Tourism, Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association, Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts, and Maryland State Arts Council. Fred Lazarus, president of the Maryland Institute College of Art, is a founding board member of Americans for the Arts and personally wrote a letter on Baltimore's behalf as did Mayor Sheila Dixon and Deputy Secretary for Business and Economic Development Clarence Bishop.

In making the announcement, Governor O'Malley said, "Maryland is a natural host for this prestigious, national gathering of artists and arts organizations. Baltimore's dynamic and diverse arts scene provides a great platform to inspire provocative conversations about the important role art and culture play in creating strong, sustainable and prosperous communities. Through the Maryland State Arts Council - and our strong partnership with the 24 local arts agencies - we look forward to showcasing our state's success stories and learning from our peers nationally."

"The benefits of hosting this event will be felt for years to come," said Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon. "This is our opportunity to show off Baltimore's thriving arts and cultural community to more than two thousand people who have the resources, knowledge and passion to advance the arts not only here in Baltimore but around the country."

"Arts & Economic Prosperity III," a recent study by Americans for the Arts and the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts, provides compelling new evidence that Baltimore's nonprofit arts and culture industry is significant; it generates $270.08 million in local economic activity. This spending - $154.51 million by nonprofit arts and culture organizations and an additional $115.57 million in event-related spending by their audiences - supports 6,418 full-time equivalent jobs, generates $146.8 million in household income to local residents, and delivers $23.26 million in local and state government revenue. This study sends a strong signal that when we support the arts, we not only enhance our quality of life, but we also invest in the city of Baltimore's economic well-being.