Economic Development Grant Recipients

Mayor David Bieter today announced the recipients of the City's Arts & History Economic Development Grant program.  The four winning organizations are Ballet Idaho, the Basque Museum and Cultural Center, Boise Contemporary Theater and Idaho Shakespeare Festival.  Each organization will receive a $20,000 grant in recognition and support of their positive effects on Boise's economy.

"The impact that these organizations have on our city cannot be overstated," Mayor Bieter said. "Employers are attracted to communities that have a dynamic cultural life and a creative work force. It's essential that Boise's cultural assets have the resources they need for continued success."

"According to a recent study, total spending by nonprofit arts and culture organizations and their audiences totaled $38.02 million in Boise," Arts & History Director Terri Schorzman said. "In addition to their contribution to our quality of life, they also employ people, buy goods and services, and contribute to the overall economic vitality of our region."

Ballet Idaho has a $1.4 million budget, with nearly $900,000 in payroll. More than 7,000 out-of-state visitors attend company productions, spending an estimated $22,000 on hotels, meals, and incidentals. The company itself purchased close to $438,000 in local goods and services in 2009. Ballet Idaho plans to increase audiences by partnering with downtown businesses in a new program called Ballet in BoDo.

The Basque Museum and Cultural Center enjoys more than 13,000 visitors a year, more than 700 of them coming from 22 other countries and 46 other states. The organization purchases an array of goods and services, up to $244,000 per year, and an estimated 300,000 people have viewed its new exhibit on Ellis Island, New York, which comes to Boise later this year.  According to the Boise Convention and Visitors Bureau, the museum is a great sales tool for promotional efforts.

Boise Contemporary Theater reports that during its first 10 years in the Cultural District, attendance at the theater was 119,000, creating a positive economic impact of $5.9 million, including tickets, dinner and discretionary spending. In addition to its full- and part-time staff, the company hires 42 local actors, directors, designers and crew members; spends nearly $135,000 annually on the purchase of local goods and services; and helped raise $12,000 for another non-profit organization.

Idaho Shakespeare Festival impacts Boise's economy on multiple levels. Of an operating budget of almost $2.6 million, approximately 40 percent of operating expenses are local purchases. The festival's payroll is $1.3 million, with an additional $450,000 spent in the community from visitors who attend ISF productions. The company produces more than $1.7 million in earned revenue, with 52,000 tickets sold each year.

Grantees were chosen by a five-person panel with representatives of the Mayor's Office and the Arts & History Commission and with three community members who have experience in corporate and foundation giving as well as finance in the profit and non-profit sectors. Those receiving funding from this program are ineligible to apply for the City Arts & History Fund grant program for the upcoming fiscal year, freeing up funds for other worthy arts and history organizations.

The Mayor announced the two-part Arts & History Economic Development Grant program in May. The program also includes the Economic Development Cultural Ambassador Award, which Mayor Bieter presented to Trey McIntyre project on May 18.