Hear the Voices of West Virginia Artists! From storytellers, dancers and musicians to photographers, painters and writers, artists have something to say every day.
The West Virginia State Legislature’s Arts Day is March 2nd. It’s a day for the arts community to showcase their contributions to West Virginia’s creative industries. The goal is to raise awareness among our policymakers of the importance of investing in the arts for every West Virginian.
We add our voices to this chorus.
West Virginia has incredible art sites across the state. Many of these venues are successful in part because of grants awarded by the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture & History. These investments in creative industries generate positive economic benefits for West Virginia communities.
Research from 2020 shows that the arts and culture industries accounted for 4.2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) nationwide, or $876.7 billion. In West Virginia, arts and cultural production has contributed $1.3 billion to the state’s economy, employing over 13,000 people.
An example of the influence of the arts is the Contemporary American Theater Festival hosted at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, W. Virginia. Shugoll Research conducted a study of the 2018 festival that showed $5.86 million in economic activity was created for over 80 jobs. This included $340,000 to the local government and $745,000 to our state government. The report states the impact: “The Contemporary American Theater Festival … improves the quality of life for residents and visitors and generates tourist revenue. Both the direct and indirect economic impacts of the festival have repercussions that are being felt throughout the local and state economy.”
Another story of the art community’s influence can be told from the porch overlooking the Cacapon River. The River House opened in 2017 as an arts and music venue in a vacant riverfront building in Capon Bridge, W.Va. founded. Today, the River House has two full-time and six part-time employees with a gross salary of $152,000 (2022).
River House’s five-year impact includes 1,238 events that reached over 1,500 students through field trips, assemblies and after-school programs, and over $75,000 in support of local producers.
The River House’s success sparked a revival. In the past five years, new businesses have opened in Capon Bridge, including an Appalachian music school, an Air BnB, and a shop selling West Virginia-made arts and crafts. Two local banks in Capon Bridge saw a significant increase in new account and lending activity. Recent private investment in the renovation of older buildings has totaled over $2.2 million, contributing to the city’s vitality and tax base.
This incredible community impact would not be possible without donations from individuals, foundations, and state and federal grants.
As professionals in the creative industries, we know that the support of state and local politicians for the arts has been instrumental to our success. Working together, we can continue to build a resilient arts industry and more vibrant, happier, and healthier communities across West Virginia.
We would be remiss if we didn’t say thank you to those who have strengthened the arts in West Virginia – from West Virginia’s First Lady Cathy Justice to our local business leaders and volunteers to the outstanding staff of the West Virginia Department of Arts. Culture & History as curated by Randall Reid-Smith. We value your contributions.
The continued financial support of our artists and arts organizations in West Virginia is critical to keeping the arts alive. We encourage every state, county, city and community leader to support the arts in their community.
On March 2nd, we’re asking our legislators in the state of West Virginia to listen to our artists! The arts bring jobs, joy and tourists and strengthen our vibrant and creative communities in West Virginia.
Adam Booth is a nationally touring storyteller, musician and educator. He is the 2022 West Virginia Folk Artist of the Year and is an Associate Professor in the Appalachian Studies Program.
Monica Wilson is the executive director of The River House, a non-profit arts and music center. She is also a professional portrait and landscape photographer and entrepreneur.
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