OCEAN CITY, Md. — The Art League of Ocean City has released a detailed economic, employment, and fiscal analysis, revealing the organization’s substantial yearly impact on the local and regional economy.
Conducted by senior consultants at The StratACUMEN Group, the study evaluated the Art League’s contributions to the economy through events, tourism, job support, and cultural influence. According to the findings, the Art League generates a $100 return for every $1 the Town of Ocean City invests in it.
“These insights will help enhance the Art League’s outreach, engagement, and influence within the community, ensuring a more targeted and effective approach to achieving our long-term goals,” said Rina Thaler, executive director of the Art League.
Key highlights of the report include:
- A total yearly economic impact of $7 million, with $2 million in direct and $5 million in indirect and induced impact.
- Signature events, including the Ocean City Film Festival and Artists Paint OC Plein Air Festival, have a combined $1.8 million economic impact, attributed to participant spending and regional publicity.
- The Art League supports 177 jobs annually.
- Since 2013, the organization has contributed $32 million in tourism impact and more than $75 million in cumulative economic impact.
Locally, the Art League contributes:
- $4.55 million per year to Ocean City
- $1.05 million to West Ocean City
- $700,000 to the rest of Worcester County
Regionally, its reach includes:
- $500,000 to Wicomico County
- $700,000 to Delaware beach towns
- $500,000 to other areas across Maryland and beyond
In addition to financial metrics, the report values the cultural and social impact of the Art League at $2 million annually.
The findings, aligned with the 2024 Strategic Plan, will shape the organization's marketing, advocacy, and public engagement efforts. The full report is available at OCart.org.