The presence of a large higher education institution brings many additional benefits to a region, such as cultural offerings that may be available only to the university. For UAB and Birmingham, this tremendous cultural exposure is provided through the Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts, Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center, ArtPlay, and UAB Arts in Medicine. 

The impact of the arts in the Birmingham community because of UAB is substantial, and Birmingham would be significantly different if not for these events and activities. The following impact findings for UAB Arts quantify the spending and employment of UAB Arts. It is important to remember the intangible impacts that UAB Arts bring daily to the region and state. 

Generating Economic Activity 

Direct spending by UAB Arts generates economic activity throughout the state. In FY22, the direct spending of UAB Arts, in combination with the indirect and induced impacts of dollars being re-spent throughout the economy, generated $6.6 million in overall economic impact to the state of Alabama ($3.6 million in direct impact and $3 million in indirect and induced impact). 

Providing and Supporting Jobs 

In FY22, UAB Arts directly employed more than 70 individuals (full-time or part-time positions). This direct employment generates additional spending throughout the region and state that in turn supports additional indirect and induced jobs created when UAB Arts, its employees, and visitors spend in the region and state. In total, UAB Arts supports 129 jobs throughout Alabama. 

Generating State and Local Government Income 

State and local government revenues attributable to UAB Arts’ presence totaled approximately $203,808 in FY22.