Social Impact of the Arts Study

How arts impact King County communities

The Berk Foundation

With primary focus on youth development & education, health & wellness, and neighborhood vitality, the study probes the potential for arts to influence more equitable outcomes. The report combines a county-wide public poll; a landscape scan of King County arts, cultural, and heritage nonprofits; a substantive review of 150+ national research resources; and case studies of ten regional arts organizations.

People intrinsically value the arts in their lives—arts entertain, inspire, inform, and provoke us. The Puget Sound region is host to hundreds of arts nonprofits and tens of thousands of artists which have helped shape the vibrant region we are today, and which are integral to our identity as a region built on innovation. However, our research uncovers a disconnect between public perception of the value of the arts and their impact. This disconnect not only threatens the sustainability of the sector, but the future of our community.

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