WHAT’S THE VALUE?
An economic impact study with social
considerations
Lindsay Kent, Julia Oak, Rebecca Waldrop
Origins of the Study
 Sociology Senior
Seminar– sociological
consulting for a local
non-profit organization
 Data collected for grant
applications
 Anchor institution in
Geneva
 Centrally located,
provides key services for
the community
Smith Opera House – Located in Downtown Geneva
Details of the Study
 Surveys administered at 13 events hosted by the Smith:
January-March
 Hard-copy version
 Personally administered
at research site
 Electronic version
 URL provided in event
pamphlets
Research Instrument
 Adapted from Americans for the Arts
 Conducted in 2012
 182 study regions, representing all 50
states
 Findings:
 The non-profit arts and culture industry
is an economic driver in communities:
 Generation of $135.2 billion of
economic activity
 Supported 4.1 million full-time jobs
in 2012
 Promotes tourism
Sample Survey Questions
Determining the Economic Impact
 Multiplier = 1.5
 For every $1 spent, an
additional $0.50 is spent in the
economy
 The multiplier is applied to the
estimated total spending by
attendees of Smith events
Findings
Average Spending
Per Person (N=384)
Estimated Total
Spending for
Population (N=4201)
$11.71
$49,196.00
Refreshments
$2.95
$12,410.00
Food/Drink
$8.27
$34,852.00
Souvenirs/Clothing
$1.36
$5,696.00
Childcare
$0.29
$1,204.00
Overnight
$3.37
$14,170.00
Other
$0.25
$1,038.00
$28.20
$118,566.00
Admission
SUM:
Findings Continued
$118,566.00 X Multiplier of 1.5 = $177,849.00 of economic
activity generated by the Smith in 2 months
Comparison to National Data
Admissions
Refreshment and/or Snacks
Meals
Souvenirs and Clothing
Transportation
Child Care
Overnight Lodging
Other
Average per person
Region A
(<50,000 ppl)
NA*
$3.74
$10.92
$5.73
$2.81
$0.43
$7.51
$1.32
$32.48
The Smith
$11.71
$2.95
$8.27
$1.36
NA**
$0.29
$3.37
$0.25
$28.20
*Admissions not included in national study
**Local Transportation included in Other for the Smith study
Attendance by Zip Code
Social Considerations
2013
Total Events in Geneva: 265
Hosted by the Smith: 162
Hosted by other Organizations:
103
Social Considerations
Completed
HS
10%
Level of Education
Post-grad
or higher
36%
Completed 4
year degree
25%
Completed 2
year degree
16%
Current
College
Student
13%
Social Considerations
Household Income

Smith Sample
Less than $40,000
17.2%
$40,000-$59,999
14.9%
$60,000-$79,999
17.5%
$80,000-$99,999
15.1%
$100,000 or more
27.1%
N/A
7.8%
Median Income- City of Geneva: $37,438
Implications of Social Considerations
 Hosts the majority of
events in Geneva
 What population is the
Smith serving?
 Compared to their
mission
 An anchor institution,
but for who?
Thank you!
Special thanks to:
 Pat McGuire, Retired Professor of
Economics (HWS)
 Kelly Bradley, Executive Director
of the Smith Center for the
Performing Arts
 Roy Fearon, Hobart ‘14, GIS
Teaching Assistant
 Volunteers at the Smith Center for
the Performing Arts
Bibliography

McGuire & Dimetrov (Summer 2008). Working Papers, “Economic Impact with 
the IMPLAN model.” Hobart & William Smith Colleges
http://visitfingerlakes.com/media/uploads/attractions/artstheater/theater/the-smith/smith_detail__612x388.jpg

Smith Opera House. (n.d.). in Geneva, NY. Retrieved February 16,
2014, from http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/858

http://www.hws.edu/dailyUpdate/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=11304

History of the Smith Opera House. (n.d.).The History of the Smith .
Retrieved February 16, 2014, from http://thesmith.org/smith-operahouse/history

http://depositphotos.com/6647996/stock-illustration-Success-moneydirection-sign.html


Bibliography for Pictures:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ypWzdJv2Yaw/T85rdF3DpI/AAAAAAAAAh8/5TAKzxq-P4w/s1600/8081134619-009.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ea/Smith_Oper
a_House.jpg

http://www.terragalleria.com/images/us-sw/usnv9138.jpeg

http://www.bubblews.com/assets/images/news/1301101599_137391
0340.jpg

http://www.fingerlakes1.com/temporary/geneva040808.jpg

http://www.dow

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=money+sign&FORM=HDRS
C2#view=detail&id=A4DE6E2A013E900212AFB6411132A4698687A778
&selectedIndex=59ntowngeneva.org/maps

http://visitfingerlakes.com/media/uploads/scenicsmoodshots/historic/smith_opera_house__612x388.jpg

http://www.genevaonthelake.com/images/SmithOperaHouse.jpg

http://www.weos.org/saysyou/smithcenterforthearts.jpg

http://www.downtowngeneva.org/images/historic/pc64.jpg