Survey Says: Arts Matter, Residents Split on Previous 7% Fee
2,597Residents Respond to Columbus Art Fee Survey
[COLUMBUS, OH] According to a survey hosted online by City Council, Columbus residents believe arts and culture are important to the City’s future, but a significant amount questioned the Greater Columbus Arts Council’s (GCAC) original proposal for investment in the arts and public facilities.
Data collected between the announcement of GCAC’s original art fee plan and November 27, 2018, when Council President Shannon Hardin rolled out a plan with a reduced percentage fee, shows that residents want a sustainable system to invest in creativity, arts and culture. Residents who took the survey split 53% to 47% for the GCAC plan with a 7% fee. The survey went live on September 18 and garnered 2,597 total responses.
“We are listening to advocates and residents on both sides of this issue and are taking in a lot of information on how residents want to grow the local creative economy,” said Council President Hardin. “We’ve met with the fiercest opponents and even they agree that arts matter. We believe our new proposal, with a lower rate of 5%, is the right kind of compromise and the right thing to do for our economy.”
THE SURVEY FINDINGS:
- 95% of residents believe arts, culture and the creative economy are important to Columbus’ future.
- 61% of respondents support a ticket fee on arts and entertainment events that reinvests dollars into Columbus’ arts and cultural community.
- 57% of residents support a ticket fee on arts and entertainment events that reinvests dollars into Columbus’ arts and cultural community that includes public facilities.
- 53% of residents support the Greater Columbus Arts Council’s original proposal for a 7% fee.
On September 17, 2018, Council received GCAC’s detailed proposal for an across the board 7% ticket fee to support the Arena and arts organizations. After receiving the document, Council solicited community input through the first of two public hearings, stakeholder meetings and an online survey to develop an equitable, sustainable plan that invests in the arts and public facilities. On November 27, 2018, Council President Hardin announced a revised plan with a 5% rate for creativity and stability.
Council will host its second public hearing on November 29, 2018, 5pm, in Chambers to consider legislation for the December 10, 2018 meeting. If enacted, the plan would be in place July 1, 2019.
GCACAdmission Fee Proposal Survey Results
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