Music festivals, art, and theater performances are only some of the great treasures that make up El Paso’s creative economy.
Kailey Hoppe, a tourist from Rockford Illinois in town for the 2015 USBC open championship, was impressed with all the art and festivals El Paso offers.
“I think so far it’s amazing. It’s huge and fun to see. Wicked is in town which is one of the best shows I’ve seen so far and it’s fun to see it come to El Paso.”
The latest Destination El Paso annual report shows almost 3 million people have visited El Paso. Experts credit the arts and culture expansion with attracting the crowds.
“Our creative sector continues to grow and has actually done very well in the last couple of years,” said Ben Fyffe, assistant director of the City of El Paso’s Museums and Cultural Affairs Department . “Our economy has grown significantly. Downtown revitalization continues to be a big factor that affects a lot of our artists and our arts organizations.”
A new report is due out this summer to show updates from the 2010 report done on the Arts and Culture Sector in El Paso. In the updated report, Fyffe expects to see a larger economic impact.
Every year more than $4 million in local revenue is generated through the arts, Fyffe said. The money comes from permits, sales tax, and hotel occupancy.
“Another new development that’s coming along after years and years of planning is Art Space El Paso. Which will provide affordable live workspace for artists here in the Downtown arts district,” Fyffe said.
Art Space is set to open in June. Other projects currently being developed are a Downtown arena, a children’s museum, and a Hispanic Cultural Center.
