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State arts department says arts and culture contribute $1.5 billion to state economy, highlights $6.39 million invested in Wood County
Summary
The Department of Arts, Culture and History presented statewide economic impact figures and detailed local grants and programs in Wood County, saying federal funding matched by state and community sources leverages significant local investment.
Randall Reed Smith, curator with the Department of Arts, Culture and History (Speaker 11), told the committee that the statewide arts and culture sector contributes about $1.5 billion to West Virginia’s economy and supports roughly 15,725 jobs. "Statewide, West Virginia Arts and Culture Sector. It is a $1,500,000,000 industry in our state," he said.
Smith said Wood County has received $6,390,637 through 358 arts and historic preservation grants, and that department grants are matched by state and local funds to multiply federal dollars in local projects. He described programs that support PK–12 arts education, community events, historic preservation, and cultural tourism in Parkersburg and nearby communities.
Local examples cited included multiple National Register historic districts in Parkersburg and 21,000 youth and 23,000 adults served by Wood County organizations in fiscal year 2023. Smith also described the department’s Save the Music grant, noting 156 schools participate and that instruments and instructional materials worth $6.24 million had been distributed by Aug. 1.
Legislators asked about grant programs, the new library facilities funding pilot, and the department’s federal partnerships. Smith said federal National Endowment for the Arts funding has grown and that the department leverages at least $3 of non‑federal match for each federal dollar in many projects.
The presentation was informational; the committee did not take formal action.
