Overture Center brings money, jobs, downtown

The Overture Center for the Arts--of which Madison Opera is a resident organization--has released a study conducted by AMS Planning and Research that demonstrates the center's sizable financial impact on downtown Madison and Dane County.

Details of the study can be found on the Overture website and in today's Wisconsin State Journal.

A few highlights:

Since opening, nearly 1.8 million people have attended more than 2,200 Overture events.

Since opening, more than 500,000 people have attended resident organization performances.

In 2008 alone, Overture audiences spent an additional $9.8 million related to their attendance, above and beyond the price of tickets, including meals and lodging downtown.

Also in 2008, Overture Center activity helped generate nearly $4.5 million in tax revenues for state and local governments.

As a resident organization, we take pride in the positive impact Overture has had on the Madison community and in the world-class performances this unique space has allowed us to produce.