The Greater Hartford Arts Council (GHAC) is seen as a driving force behind a vibrant, resilient, and economically powerful arts community. Recently released data highlight what has been described as the transformative power of the arts — not just as a cultural asset but as a catalyst for social and economic change.

Community support for the arts has become more visible of late with the increased number of murals that have become part of the skyline in Hartford and in neighboring communities.

That very visible reflection of art in the region will become perhaps most visible when a major mosaic is revealed in the coming months, featuring the work of scores of local residents, described as “Hartford’s Largest Crowd-Sourced Public Art Mural. ”

For that initiative, “100% of the money invested goes back into our arts ecosystem, creating jobs for artists, enabling arts organizations to expand their reach, and enriching our community with festivals, exhibits, and public art installations.”  As the GHAC website notes, “This isn’t just a mural; it’s a digital interactive experience, too.

The completed Mosaic will be accessible online, allowing viewers worldwide to explore the individual images and stories that make up the larger tapestry of creativity and community belonging.”

All of which “fuels local creativity, empowers artists, and ensures the arts remain a thriving part of our region’s identity,” GHAC officials point out.

The numbers reflect the impact:

• $169.7M in economic impact from arts and culture (2022 data)

• 2,765 jobs supported by the arts sector

• $39.6M in local and state tax revenue

• $30.01 spent per person at every arts event, boosting restaurants, shops, and transportation

• 89% of attendees say local arts foster community pride

• 86.6% would feel a deep loss without access to arts and culture

GHAC also points out that nearly 50% of healthcare institutions use art programs to improve patient outcomes and veterans rank creative therapies among the top four treatments for PTSD and reintegration.

Looking ahead, GHAC officials emphasize that the organization is “committed to expanding these benefits, ensuring that creativity remains accessible and impactful.”