The City of Alexandria has been recognized as one of America's Top ArtPlaces, one of only 44 communities to receive the designation in 2013, as a new study revealed a $70.7 million economic impact generated by the local arts industry.

In a March 5 event held at The Little Theatre of Alexandria, the City of Alexandria Office of the Arts and the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association announced the findings from the Arts and Economic Prosperity IV national study conducted by Americans for the Arts, a nonprofit arts advocacy organization.

“Arts are not just food for the soul,” said Randy Cohen, vice president of Research and Policy for Americans for the Arts. “The arts industry puts food on the table for 1,774 workers employed around town.”

Cohen presented his findings and noted that $44.6 million in event-related spending by audiences of Alexandria's nonprofit arts and culture industry directly supports the city's non-arts businesses.

In addition to the presentation by Cohen, Alexandria was heralded as a top arts community by ArtPlace, a collaboration of foundations and agencies to accelerate creative placemaking across the U.S.

“Alexandria is exceptionally successful at combining art, artists and venues for creativity and expression with independent businesses, retail shops and restaurants, and a walkable lifestyle to make vibrant neighborhoods,” said Lyz Crane, director of partnerships and special projects for ArtPlace in presenting a certificate to the city.

For more information about America's Top ArtPlaces 2013, visit www.artplaceamerica.org.