The Academy of Music likes to point to the variety of its arts programming as a measure of its value to the community. But a study by Northampton’s Economic Development Office (EDO) says the theater is also helping boost the bottom line of both the city and the state.
The study, commissioned earlier this year, said Academy shows attracted 55,000 patrons in the past year, who spent $1.4 million on ticket sales and an estimated $2.1 million on local meals and beverages and hotels, or $3.5 million in total spending.
That translates to $188,000 in hotel and meals taxes, of which $58,000 went to Northampton and $130,000 to the state, the study says.
Academy Director Debra J’Anthony says theater records indicate about 18 percent of its tickets are bought by people who live more than 75 miles from Northampton. The EDO estimates this generates 6,637 one-night hotel room rentals, based on 1.5 people per room, with $829,000 in hotel revenues and $331,000 in additional guest spending.
In a statement, Mayor David Narkewicz said: “These numbers offer a very specific and positive picture of how arts and entertainment can be a downtown economic asset.”
— Steve Pfarrer