Annual event features high-quality art, craft, literature, music and food
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 14, 2013) — Kentucky Crafted Program artists and other exhibitors who showcased work at Kentucky Crafted: The Market earlier this year generated economic activity in the city of Lexington surpassing $2 million, according to analysis compiled and conducted by the Kentucky Arts Council.
Kentucky Crafted: The Market is the arts council’s annual event produced in early spring featuring the highest quality art, craft, literature, music and food in the state. The majority of exhibitors are visual and craft artists, adjudicated participants of the arts council’s Kentucky Crafted Program. A small number of out-of-state artists are invited to the show, as well as publishers and food producers.
“The success of Kentucky Crafted: The Market emphasizes the value people place on high-quality art and craft in this state and beyond our borders,” said Gov. Steve Beshear. “Kentucky artists, and The Market, contribute significantly to our state’s economy and we will continue to do our part to help the state’s artisans strengthen and solidify their business interests.”
Total sales during the three-day event topped $1 million and included wholesale orders, retail buyer purchases and artist commissions received as a result of The Market. In addition, the arts council conducted two surveys, one of exhibitors and the other of general admission visitors to The Market. The survey included information about expenditures related to tourism, travel and local spending on non art and craft purchases at The Market. A report detailing the figures is available on the arts council’s website.
“More than 10,000 people traveled to the Lexington Convention Center earlier this year to attend The Market, solidifying the interest Kentuckians and out of state visitors alike have in our art and craft industry,” said Lori Meadows, arts council executive director. “We are energized by the results of our surveys. These numbers illustrate the impact the state’s artists have on our economy overall, but also showcase how important each artisan business is to its own community.”
The 2013 Market saw a 14 percent increase in exhibitors, a 25 percent year-over-year increase in gross receipts, and record-setting attendance.
Kentucky Crafted: The Market will be March 7-9, 2014, at the Lexington Convention Center. The first day is open exclusively to wholesale buyers. The next two days are open to the public to shop goods created by more than 200 artists at retail prices, all in one location.
Click here for more information about Kentucky Crafted: The Market.
Read the Kentucky Crafted: The Market 2013 analysis of economic impact online by clicking here.
The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, creates opportunities for Kentuckians to value, participate in and benefit from the arts. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts.
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