Cultural Asset & Outdoor Economy Impact Assessment & COVID-19 Impact Update
York Cultural Alliance/York County Economic Alliance
Economic Equity
YCEA drives economic growth in York County, Pennsylvania through regional collaboration for sustainable prosperity. The Cultural Alliance of York County, South Central Pennsylvania’s sole United Arts Fund, has invested over $11.4M in cash and $2.2M in in-kind support for the arts over 22 years. The Cultural Alliance’s new model will expand funding to further strengthen York County’s arts and culture.
York County boasts rich quality of place assets, including vibrant arts and cultural programming. However, sustained resources for arts, culture, and outdoor recreation are limited. The Cultural Alliance sought to understand how other communities implement sustainable public funding for these sectors.
Our Approach
Through research, surveys, and interviews, cultural and outdoor assets were identified and classified, including their impact, financial models, and interconnectivity. An ecosystem map charted relationships between organizations. We examined how similar communities support quality of place amenities with dedicated public funding, focusing on funding mechanisms, impact on community indicators, and economic growth in arts, culture, and outdoor recreation. Finally, we developed a scenario to visualize the impact of a cultural asset strategy and financial support, demonstrating the benefits of a dedicated funding source in York County.
The Results
The Cultural Alliance and YCEA are sharing the Supporting York County’s Arts, Culture, and Outdoor Recreation Ecosystem report with local philanthropists, foundations, and municipal funders, to explore a sustainable public funding model, discuss structure, and plan next steps.
Location
York County, PA