The Christmas season has officially arrived in the Pine Belt, bringing twinkling lights, holiday tunes, and a flurry of activity as we finalize travel plans, prepare for festive feasts, and as always, shop for gifts! As we all know, gift giving can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Here is one gift you may not have considered yet, but one that might be exactly what you are looking for: supporting local arts. You may be thinking, how is that a gift? Well, beyond spreading holiday cheer, the arts are a significant economic driver in our community, positively impacting local businesses, jobs, and overall quality of life for you and your family.
The arts: an economic powerhouse in the Pine Belt
The Pine Belt’s vibrant arts scene is anchored by key events like FestivalSouth Mississippi’s largest multi-genre arts festival, HubFest, Live at Five, the incredible offerings of the Southern Miss School of Music and many more. Combined, these events draw thousands of visitors every year. Showcasing everything from classical, jazz, rock, indie, country, choral and bluegrass music to dance, theater, art exhibitions, poetry readings, culinary creations and so much more, they all contribute significantly to the local economy. The gift of arts support can attract out-of-town visitors who spend money on lodging, dining, and shopping, pumping millions of dollars directly into our local way of life, allowing for bigger and better events that our community gets to enjoy.
Venues, like the historic Saenger Theater and the Lake Terrace Convention Center amplify the economic and cultural impact even further with the people, groups, and shows they bringing to the Pine Belt. Known for hosting world-class performances, from major musicians, comedians, and children’s entertainment to major conventions and state conferences, events like these bring in audiences who directly support surrounding businesses.
Driving local business growth
The Pine Belt region sees a direct economic boost from its thriving arts scene. In Greater Hattiesburg, retail sales alone surpassed 2.25 billion dollars in 2022. Local arts events don’t just entertain; they stimulate the economy. For every $1 spent on tickets, an additional $4 is generated in community spending. With the Hattiesburg metropolitan
area’s workforce base exceeding 293,000 within a 60-mile radius, the arts support not only cultural enrichment but also job creation and economic stability.
Attendees at these events frequently dine out, shop locally, and use transportation services, driving additional revenue into the economy. For example, restaurants in downtown Hattiesburg report increased traffic during major arts events, with some seeing as much as a 30% boost in sales on event nights.
In addition, arts organizations such as the Hattiesburg Concert Association, can collaborate with local businesses to maximize community impact. Their partnerships with entities like Hancock Whitney, Cadence Bank, Forrest General Hospital, Forrest County, Visit Hattiesburg and many others, demonstrate the potential for businesses to align with the arts for mutual benefit.
A smart investment for businesses and individuals
Investing in the arts benefits everyone. For businesses, sponsoring arts events provides access to an engaged, diverse audience and a unique platform for brand visibility. For individuals, purchasing tickets to performances, donating to local arts organizations, or attending from the Hattiesburg Craft Beer Fest to the Southern Miss Symphony are all ways to make an economic and cultural impact. As a bonus, gifts like donations often come with tax advantages, adding a financial incentive to the feel-good factor of supporting the arts.
Long-term gains: education and innovation
Beyond their immediate economic impact, the arts play a vital role in workforce development and education. With institutions like The University of Southern Mississippi, one of only 34 universities nationwide accredited in all four areas of the arts, and William Carey University, Hattiesburg produces graduates who are
ready for careers in the creative industries. Many of them stay in the areas producing a deep and varied arts scene in our community colleges, public and private schools, and community programs. From Stagestruck to Center Stage, and in bands, choirs, orchestra, art and theatre programs across our area, the arts are integral to our way of life.
The universities also partner with other organizations like the Hattiesburg Arts Council, Hub City Players, and the Hattiesburg Concert Band, among others, to provide opportunities for students to participate in professional productions, ensuring that future generations continue to benefit from the arts.
Making an impact this holiday season
Supporting the arts doesn’t require extravagant effort. Whether it’s attending a Christmas sing along at the Saenger Theater, purchasing tickets to FestivalSouth’s special
winter performances, or making a donation of any amount to arts organizations that have impacted you and this community, every contribution helps sustain the vibrant creative culture in the Pine Belt.
As you finalize your holiday plans, consider the broader impact of your spending. Supporting local arts means supporting the economic and cultural vitality of the Pine Belt. Together, we can make this holiday season not just merry and bright, but also economically impactful for the entire region.
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Dr. Mike Lopinto is the Assistant to the Dean for Arts Administration at Southern Miss. He is also the Executive Director of the Hattiesburg Concert Association, Artistic Director of FestivalSouth, and Founding Director of the Hub City Players.
