Flagstaff’s cultural sector is the driving force of $90 million of the local economy. Tickets to shows, admissions, meals, and more are purchased by locals and tourists alike. Tourists additionally spend on hotels and transportation. Over $20 million annually is invested into the local economy by tourists that participated in cultural events. All told, more than 3,000 jobs are supported by the cultural sector.

$90 million in spending buoys tax revenues including $4.6 million for City of Flagstaff and Coconino County and an additional $4.4 million in state revenue.

Nurturing our cultural economy results in significant investment in our community.

To learn more about the economic impact of the cultural sector, read the latest Arts & Economic Prosperity study for Flagstaff below.

Flagstaff welcomes nearly 6 million visitors every year. Our four-seasons, climate, outdoor recreation, easy access to the Grand Canyon, and vibrant mountain community means Flagstaff a must-visit destination.

When Flagstaff is part of the itinerary, visitors experience our rich culture. And, those that do, end up investing much more in our local economy. Cultural and heritage tourism, not just recreational tourism, is not only critical to supporting cultural nonprofits and businesses such as our museums, festivals, and concert venues but an important way to generate significant economic investment from our existing tourism base. Cultural tourists linger longer.

Demonstrating its commitment to the sciences, Flagstaff became America’s first STEM City (science, technology, engineering, math) in 2012 and the world’s first “International Dark Sky City” in 2001. Pluto was discovered here. Our biggest museum was founded by an artist and a scientist. Our unique setting on the Colorado Plateau and our residents inspire us to not only discover but to create – create art, cultural experiences, and community.

We like to think that the STEM movement Flagstaff pioneered is now STEAM, representing arts. Did you know that many of the accomplished musicians that perform with Flagstaff Community Band, Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra, and others are also scientists or STEM professionals or that Coconino Center for the Arts is home to critically acclaimed arts and science visual art exhibitions?

The president of Rhode Island School of Design, a leading advocate for the integration of arts into STEM, says that opening the door to the arts aids in the process of turning critical thinking into critical making.

Our cultural sector is central to our creative economy which is inseparable from our many STEM institutions.