By Mt. Auburn Associates, Inc. and Economic Development Research Group, 2002  Economic Impacts of Museum Expansion

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA) released a detailed new study in 2002: "Economic Impacts of the Museum of Fine Arts." The study was released in conjunction with announced plans for major expansion of the museum.

The study, by Mt. Auburn Associates and Economic Development Research Group, has led to wide media attention. Traditionally, many economic impact studies have been seen as merely exercises in generating big numbers. In contrast, the MFA study showed how the nature of the local community and statewide economies have been affected by the museum. The study was noted for its comprehensive nature, combining stories and numbers and methodically breaking down impacts of the museum operations, its associated retail stores and school activities, as well as its special shows and community outreach. It showed how the museum and its special exhibits also attracts a large number of additional visitors and tourists to the region, and is directly responsible for a range of lodging, restaurant and retail activities, in addition to spending on the museum itself and its own retail and restaurant services.

Altogether, the study showed that the museum is responsible for $369 million of additional spending by visitors to the region. The study also compared the scale of the museum activities and visitor attraction with that of local professional sports teams and other major institutions and employers. Most importantly, the study showed how capital investment in expansion of the museum would lead to future payoffs in terms of jobs and income for residents of the region.

The team of Economic Development Research Group and Mt. Auburn Associates have developed a unique approach for assessing the broad impacts of arts and visitor attractions, and have been activity conducting similar studies for arts facilities in New York and other states.

View the MFA press release summary of the report

View the full report (pdf file)