On December 31, 2011, our volunteers were at the Hult Center one last time to survey the audience of Eugene Opera’s production of “Carmen.”  This marked the end of the data collection period for the Arts and Economic Prosperity IV (AEP4) Study, a year-long, two-part study that evaluates the economic impact of spending by local nonprofit arts organizations and their audiences.

Volunteers here in Eugene collected audience surveys at events throughout the year and helped facilitate the collection of data from arts organizations across our community.  From our first event, the Cherry Blossom Festival on February 10, 2011, through the final performance of “Carmen”, volunteer organizers Mindy Linder, Val Egan, Patricia Morales, Arielle Sherman and Hilary Amnah helped organize over 30 volunteers who helped gather 1029 audience intercept surveys (over 200 surveys above the minimum requirement) and facilitated the completion of 30 organizational expenditure surveys (nearly double the national average of submissions).

Americans for the Arts is now processing and analyzing our data, as well as data from over 200 study sites nationwide. While they are hard at work, we just wanted to take a moment to thank you for yours.  After all, this study and the high quality of our survey data would not have been possible without the ongoing support from our strong arts and culture community.  Thank you to the organizations that participated by allowing us to survey their audiences and for sharing their organization expenditure data.  It would not have been possible without YOU!!