The city of Bellevue has announced that its nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $54.3 million in economic activity in 2022, according to a national economic and social impact study conducted by Americans for the Arts. 

Based on the nonprofit’s study, more than 850,000 people attended nonprofit arts and culture events in Bellevue last year, with roughly 20% of that audience comprising tourists and visitors.

The overall economic activity was composed of $10.8 million in spending by nonprofit arts and culture organizations, and $43.5 million by their audiences in event-related spending at local businesses like restaurants, retail shops, and lodging. Furthermore, it supported approximately 600 jobs and generated $10.5 million in local, state and federal taxes.

Additional highlights of the study include:

• 20% of arts and culture attendees were nonlocal visitors who traveled from outside King County. They spent an average of $108.35, excluding admission costs. 
• 84% of respondents agreed that the activity or venue they were attending was “a source of neighborhood pride for the community.”
• 83% said they would “feel a sense of loss if that activity or venue was no longer available.”