Study Shows Cleveland’s Largest Arts & Culture Institutions Have Significant
Economic Impact on the Region
The Cleveland Museum of Art, The Cleveland Orchestra, Playhouse Square, and the Rock & Roll Hall of
Fame are key drivers for Cleveland’s regional economy
CLEVELAND, April 15, 2022 – A new economic impact study conducted by Tourism Economics shows that
the Cleveland Museum of Art, The Cleveland Orchestra, Playhouse Square, and the Rock & Roll Hall of
Fame are among Cleveland’s most important, and financially impactful, organizations. They represent
the four largest arts and cultural institutions in a city that offers a rich ecosystem of cultural
organizations of many sizes and types, and these four are internationally renowned for their respective
excellence and influence. Together, they are responsible for driving outsized engagement, education
and economic opportunities in Greater Cleveland and having an impact on the economic health of the
city and region overall.
The study was commissioned by the four institutions to measure the organizations’ individual and
collective influence on businesses, households, and government finances in the regional Cleveland
economy.
Tourism Economics, an independent research firm specializing in tourism-related financial analysis,
assessed the organizations’ impacts in the Cuyahoga County economy generated by local direct
spending and the jobs, income, and tax revenues driven by this local spend during the 2019 fiscal year.*
Some of the key highlights from the study include:
• The total economic impact of $822 million supported 6,818 total jobs with associated labor
income of approximately $261 million.
• Overall, the four organizations and their operations generated a total fiscal impact of $117
million in tax revenue in 2019, including $53 million in federal tax and $64 million in state and
local tax revenues.
• The institutions welcomed nearly 2.6 million total combined attendees to their events,
exhibitions, concerts, and shows in 2019. Of these, approximately 1.4 million traveled to
Cleveland from outside the region, defined as Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
• In 2019, the four organizations had a local operating investment of $194 million, including
administrative expenses, exhibitions, concerts and shows, facility operations, curatorial and
conservation expenses, promotions and advertising, fundraising, community engagement and
education expenses, and real estate operations.
• Out-of-town attendees accounted for $317 million in on- and off-site spending in 2019. Of this
$317 million, $93.5 million was spent on food and beverage, $73.1 million was spent on retail,
$57.4 million was spend on local transportation, $47.3 million was spent on lodging, and $45.5
million was spent on recreation. When combined with local operating investment of $194
million, the organizations accounted for a total direct spending impact of $511 million in 2019.
• This direct impact of $511 million subsequently generated $171 million in indirect impacts from
purchased goods and services as well as $141 million in induced impacts from employees
spending wages in the local economy, resulting in a total economic impact of $822 million in the
regional economy.
“The four institutions in the study are not only the arts and cultural cornerstones of Greater Cleveland,
but as the four largest they are an economic engine responsible for driving significant growth and
opportunity in the region. With a total financial impact of more than $800 million annually, these
organizations exemplify the importance of supporting civic institutions like these to help drive tourism,
benefit the larger economy and improve the lives of those in the local community,” Tourism Economics
President Adam Sacks said.
In addition to the annual financial benefits for which the organizations are responsible for bringing to
the region, the study documented how they give back through various community enrichment and
engagement efforts. These include offering affordable admission and access for local residents, artists,
musicians, and schools in region, and education programs for school children in the City of Cleveland, as
well as the broader Northeast Ohio community.
These enrichment efforts help inspire and offer a broadened cultural perspective to those in the region
while stoking a lifelong appreciation of the arts—making for a more vibrant, diverse and educated
community.
“The Cleveland Museum of Art was founded in 1913 ‘for the benefit of all the people, forever.’ We
continue to uphold this commitment today by offering free admission to all as we expand access to
everyone who wishes to engage with the world’s great art,” Cleveland Museum of Art Director and
President William M. Griswold said. “We are proud to be one of Northeast Ohio’s premier civic and
cultural destinations and part of the rich, vibrant art scene here, and we work to give back through our
special projects and programs designed to engage everyone in our community, both inside and outside
the walls of the museum.”
“The Cleveland Orchestra’s standing as one of the very best in the world results from a commitment
that is first and foremost to our great city of Cleveland,” The Cleveland Orchestra President & CEO André
Gremillet said. “Our loyal and broad constituency at home in Northeast Ohio and around the world has
supported our work for more than a century. In turn, they have fueled our mission of serving Cleveland
and its surrounding communities through our performances, as well as education and community
engagement programs—all of which are created to connect people to the power of music in the concert
hall, classrooms, and their everyday lives.”
“Playhouse Square has been an important fixture in the Cleveland community for more than 100 years,”
Playhouse Square President and CEO Gina Vernaci said. “We take pride in being an ambassador for our
city and its people as we open our doors to out-of-town visitors and Clevelanders alike. Though
entertainment is at the heart of what we offer, we are more than the largest performing arts center in
the nation outside of New York—we are stewards of our vibrant downtown district and a champion for
arts education as we continue our mission of making the arts more accessible for all.”
“Cleveland has become a must-see destination for more than 13 million fans since we opened our doors
in 1995,” said Rock & Roll Hall of Fame President and CEO Greg Harris. “We welcome generations of fans
of all backgrounds and beliefs to our amazing city to honor the artists and music that connects us all. We
provide educational experiences and resources to over a million students around the world and free
admission to City of Cleveland residents to bring the spirit of rock & roll to everyone in our greater
community.”
*2019 was chosen as the baseline year for the report as it most accurately reflects the organizations’
latest available pre-COVID-19 pandemic attendance and financial performance data.
About The Cleveland Museum of Art
The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes
more than 63,000 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The museum is a
significant international forum for exhibitions, scholarship and performing arts and is a leader in digital
innovations. One of the top comprehensive art museums in the nation, recognized for its award-winning
Open Access program and free of charge to all, the Cleveland Museum of Art is located in the University
Circle neighborhood.
The museum is supported in part by residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from
Cuyahoga Arts & Culture and made possible in part by the Ohio Arts Council (OAC), which receives
support from the State of Ohio and the National Endowment for the Arts. The OAC is a state agency that
funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally
and economically. For more information about the museum and its holdings, programs and events, call
888-CMA-0033 or visit cma.org.
About The Cleveland Orchestra
Now firmly in its second century, The Cleveland Orchestra, under the leadership of Music Director Franz
Welser-Möst since 2002, remains one of the most sought-after performing ensembles in the world. Year
after year the ensemble exemplifies extraordinary artistic excellence, creative programming, and
community engagement. In recent years, The New York Times has called Cleveland “the best in America”
for its virtuosity, elegance of sound, variety of color and chamber-like musical cohesion, “virtually
flawless,” and “one of the finest ensembles in the country (if not the world).”
New initiatives for audience growth and community service have been launched in recent years,
including new technological infrastructure and capabilities at its home, Severance Music Center, to
capture the Orchestra's unique artistry and the musical achievements of the Welser-Möst and Cleveland
Orchestra partnership.
The 2021-22 season marks Franz Welser-Möst’s 20th year as music director, a period in which The
Cleveland Orchestra earned unprecedented acclaim around the world, including a series of residencies
at the Musikverein in Vienna, the first of its kind by an American orchestra. The Orchestra’s 100th
season in 2017-18 featured two international tours, concluding with the presentation of Welser-Möst’s
Prometheus Project, featuring works by Beethoven, on three continents. The Cleveland Orchestra is
heard today by a growing group of fans around the world. For more information, visit
clevelandorchestra.com.
About Playhouse Square
The largest performing arts center in the country outside of New York, the not-for-profit Playhouse
Square is Northeast Ohio’s destination for Broadway and more great entertainment. Playhouse Square is
a champion of arts education and downtown Cleveland, and proud to be the home of Cleveland Ballet,
Cleveland International Film Festival, Cleveland Play House, Cleveland State University Department of
Theatre and Dance, DANCECleveland, Great Lakes Theater and Tri-C JazzFest. Visit playhousesquare.org
and follow @playhousesquare on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
About the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Rock Connects Us. Our mission is clear: To engage, teach and inspire through the power of rock & roll.
We share stories of the people, events, and songs that shape our world through digital content,
innovative exhibits, live music, and engaging programs. At the Rock Hall, we are dedicated to making a
difference. We intentionally foster a diverse and equitable Museum that encourages and embraces
creativity and innovation. As community leader, we value, empower, and respect all people. Diversity,
Equity, & Inclusion is more than just a policy. It supports our mission and defines our future. Join the
millions who love it as much as you do. Experience us live or online – Visit rockhall.com or follow the
Rock Hall on Facebook (@rockandrollhalloffame), Twitter (@rockhall), Instagram (@rockhall), YouTube
(youtube.com/rockhall) and TikTok (@RockHallFame). Long Live Rock!
