The arts foster beauty and creativity.
 
The arts include all people; they illuminate the world around us and express the human condition in a way that speaks differently to each person.
 
The arts inspire, console, and connect us, but there is more.

The arts are essential to develop and sustain a thriving community. While creating a vibrant sense of place, the arts also contribute substantially with local economic impact. Nonprofit arts and culture are a significant industry in Macon-Bibb County, generating over $88 million in economic activity, supporting 3,222 full-time equivalent jobs, and generating $6.8 million in local and state government revenue.*
 
Macon Arts Alliance represents 58 arts and culture organizations who employ not only artists, curators, choreographers and musicians, but also administrators, financial staff and other support personnel. In addition, nearly 4,000 volunteers donate over 180,000 hours to Macon-Bibb arts organizations each year. This represents a donation valued at more than $4 million in time and talent.
 
There is even more.
 
Over $1 million of in-kind contributions are received by the nonprofit arts sector in Macon-Bibb County each year.
 
Nationally, 87% of Americans believe arts and culture are important to quality of life. 82% believe arts are important to local business and the economy.

The good news is...Macon-Bibb County doesn't have to choose between funding quality of life or funding economic development.
 
Funding the arts is a choice for both.

Macon-Bibb AEP5 Overview