Each year donors to the United Arts Appeal help provide critical funding to arts organizations and artists in Chautauqua County, helping to enliven both the spirit and the economy of the region.

The United Arts Appeal donates a percentage of its annual campaign funds for artistic projects or artist development that benefits the cultural life of the county.  A total of $10,000 in funding was awarded this year through Projects Pool and Artist Fellowship Grants.  In addition to funding for individual artists and Projects Pool, the United Arts Appeal provides operating support to ten not-for-profit arts organizations.

Supporting the Arts creates a competitive advantage for Chautauqua County
Funding for the Arts supplies the county with:

• 88 Jobs (Full and Part Time)
• 1,105 Volunteers who spend 105,800 hours working
• Direct Spending in Chautauqua County of $1,601,000 annually
• Multiplier or “Ripple” Effect (2.5%):  Over 4 Million Dollars
• 1,438 Events Last Year with an Attendance of 122,560
• Attendees from Outside Chautauqua County:  10,670
• Estimated Number of Overnight Stays:  1,265

+Plus significant impact for local restaurants and retail merchants

In the past 12 months, these arts organizations have presented over 1,400 events, including performances, festivals, and gallery events, and have served over 170,000 people.  The arts enrich our lives, and the lives of our children, but also have a positive impact on the economic health of our community.

Our Chautauqua County art organizations are important because they support not just one discipline or style of art, but a wide and inclusive range.  They help weave art and culture into the fabric of our daily lives. The tapestry created by this threading of arts and culture throughout our community helps to bring residents, businesses, conventions, and tourism to our county.