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Festival of the Arts Boca reports 7,900 attendees and $1.2 million local impact
Summary
Joanna Kaye, executive director of Festival of the Arts Boca, told the City Council the 2024 festival drew about 7,900 attendees, generated roughly $300,800 in local spending, recorded more than $250,000 in ticket sales (a 17% increase), and spent about $163,000 with Boca businesses.
Joanna Kaye, executive director of the Festival of the Arts Boca, told the City Council on June 10 that the 2024 festival drew more than 7,900 attendees and produced an estimated $300,800 in local spending, based on Americans for the Arts’ spending model.
Kaye said ticket revenue exceeded $250,000 this year, a 17% increase from 2023, and that the festival paid roughly $163,000 to Boca Raton businesses for printing, hospitality services and lodging. "Our total impact is over $1,200,000," she said.
Kaye described the festival’s marketing reach, saying organizers sent more than 1,000,000 email messages with a reported 42% open rate and an 11% click-through rate, and recorded about 1,000,000 page views on the festival website with nearly 39,000 users. She said ticket sales this year were "just about on par" with last year.
Programming highlights included a range of music and literary offerings: a centennial tribute concert to Henry Mancini by the Mancini Institute Orchestra, a live-orchestra performance of the film Jaws with SharkLab from Florida Atlantic University, a recital by Renee Fleming, appearances by poet Richard Blanco and a presentation on artificial intelligence by Nicholas Thompson. Kaye said the festival also expanded educational outreach, offering workshops at local schools and free tickets for four high schools.
Council members thanked festival staff and attendees. Council member Mr Wigder praised the visible public interest at events, saying people sat outside venues to listen. Kaye acknowledged she does not have firm Brightline ridership data and described hotel-room-night figures as anecdotal, noting the festival recorded more than 150 room nights among staff and participants.
Kaye closed by previewing next year’s dates (Feb. 28–March 9, 2025), which will feature Doris Kearns Goodwin and a centennial-themed closing with the Festival Boca Jazz Orchestra.
The council did not take formal action on the presentation; members expressed appreciation and indicated they will consider the festival’s information as part of ongoing community-support discussions.
