When folks think of tourism in Central Florida’s Polk County, most often they think of visitors to LEGOLAND Florida Resort, Bok Tower Gardens visitors, or teams – as well as parents and fans – coming to RussMatt or the Senior Softball Tournament of Champions.
But just like snowflakes, every visitor is different.
According to the latest report from Tallahassee-based research firm Downs & St. Germain, while 5 percent of visitors came to Polk County specifically for an arts experience, more than 30 percent visited an art gallery or museum while they were here. Add historic sites, and that percentage jumps to nearly 50 percent.
Here in Polk County, some of the larger, better known nonprofit arts and cultural organizations in the area include Bok Tower Gardens, Theatre Winter Haven, the Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art at Florida Southern College, the Polk Theatre and the Florida Children’s Museum.
The largest local arts agency is the Polk Arts and Cultural Alliance (PACA). Made up of more than 40 nonprofit art organizations, it encompasses performing arts, visual arts, museums, historic preservation, music, cultural heritage and programs focusing on education.
“The bigger picture is that art, on the community level, is bigger than just those who participate,” said Daryl Ward, the executive director of the AGB Museum of Art at Florida Southern College and the former director of PACA. “It is all about quality of life. Every major business knows – if you want to recruit and retain top talent, the arts, either as a creative outlet or to enjoy – is key. Simply put, arts and cultural experiences enhance Polk’s quality of life in a tremendous way.”
Numerous studies conclude that a thriving local arts community gives employers a leg up when competing for highly skilled workers. With its museums, live theater, concerts and public art scene, Polk County’s arts and cultural offerings have become an important component of the region’s talent-attraction strategy.
“If you want the best and the brightest, you have to offer an environment that lets them recharge in a healthy manner,” said Dan Chesnicka, the director of Theatre Winter Haven. “For some, its sports. For others, it might be further learning. For many, it’s the arts. It keeps those folks here, in Polk County, and it keeps those theater kids engaged as well.”
According to the Americans for the Arts impact student release in 2022, 86% of Americans surveyed say arts and culture are important to their community’s quality of life and livability, while 79% say they are important to businesses, the economy and local jobs.
Nationwide, a 2022 study of nonprofit arts and culture organizations noted that they add an estimated $73.3 billion to the nation’s economy, supporting 1.6 million jobs, providing $65.4 billion in household income, and generating $18.3 billion in total tax revenue. Direct spending by these organizations, from festivals and history centers to performing and visual arts organizations, museums and more, supported 1.3 million jobs.