In a recent government meeting, the Lenexa City Council welcomed Carol Ligden as a new member of the Arts Council, filling the vacancy left by Fabiola Rhiob due to scheduling conflicts. Ligden, a lifelong educator and long-time resident of Lenexa, expressed her eagerness to contribute to the community that has given her so much.

The meeting featured a presentation by Sarah Van Landeit, Executive Director of the Johnson County Arts Council, who discussed the findings of the Arts and Economic Prosperity Study (AEP). This study, conducted every five years by Americans for the Arts, assesses the economic impact of nonprofit arts and culture organizations across the United States. The latest study, delayed due to the pandemic, involved participation from 372 communities, including Johnson County.

Van Landeit highlighted that the arts sector generated a staggering $151.7 billion in economic activity nationwide in 2022, with $73.3 billion attributed to spending by arts organizations and an additional $78.4 billion from audience-related expenditures. In the Kansas City Metro area, the arts sector is a $615 million industry, employing nearly 9,000 people and ranking as the fourth largest employer in the region.

In Johnson County specifically, the nonprofit arts sector contributed an economic impact of $38.5 million in 2022, with $15.4 million from arts organizations and $23.1 million from audience spending. Notably, non-local attendees spent significantly more than local attendees, indicating that arts events attract visitors who contribute to the local economy.

The study also expanded its focus to include social impacts, revealing that a significant majority of respondents felt a strong sense of pride in their local arts venues and activities. An overwhelming 83% expressed that they would feel a loss if these cultural experiences were no longer available, underscoring the importance of arts and culture in community identity and well-being.

Van Landeit concluded her presentation by thanking the Lenexa Arts Council for their collaboration on various projects, including the upcoming Place of Peace exhibition, and opened the floor for questions from council members.