Iconic Museum More Than Doubles Impact on Local Economy
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (October 19, 2015) – The Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg, the principal cultural destination in the Tampa Bay Area, advances further as a major economic driver– more than doubling its impact since a prior similar study. According to the study conducted by Research Data Services, Inc. during July 2014 through June 2015, The Dalí provides an overall economic impact to the greater St. Petersburg/Clearwater area of more than $140 Million and prompts direct spending in our community of more than $70 Million each year.
The last study of its kind, conducted in 2008, showed spending of $60 Million and $30 Million, respectively. The Museum now attracts 400,000 visitors annually, double the attendance since the prior study. This meteoric rise in visitation is attributed to the grandeur of the new building and the impressive roster of special exhibitions featuring the works of such master artists as Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, and currently on display, M.C. Escher.
The study found that more than 43% of non-resident patrons were visiting St. Pete/Clearwater for the first time; nearly half all Dalí Museum patrons are overnight visitors, spending a median of 4 nights in the area. And impressively, for day-visitors, 97.7% stated The Dalí was their main reason for coming to the area.
“These figures affirm our standing as a destination within a destination,” said Dr. Hank Hine, Dalí Museum Executive Director. “Our goal is to provide art and experiences that enrich this community and the world-at-large. We’re proud to stand as a cultural beacon that helps attract global audiences and spread economic goodwill throughout the Sunshine City and surrounding areas.”
The study also shows that out-of-county Dalí Museum patrons plan to visit numerous other attractions across the Tampa Bay area including Busch Gardens, the Chihuly Collection, the Florida Aquarium and the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg.
The Museum has myriad initiatives in play that will continue to bolster the local economy. Opening January 23, 2016 is an immersive multi-media exhibition titled “Disney & Dali: Architects of the Imagination,” expected to attract new and diverse audiences to explore the story of the unlikely alliance of these two masterminds of creativity. And targeted toward the business community, recently announced is The Dalí’s Innovation Labs – unique workshops & courses which combine Salvador Dalí’s imaginative thinking with rich and proven methodologies in creativity & innovation training. The program has already attracted companies from across the nation and is poised to further substantiate St. Petersburg as a coveted location for business retreats and conferences.
About The Dalí Museum
The Dalí Museum, located in the heart of beautiful downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, is home to an unparalleled collection of Salvador Dalí art, featuring more than 2,000 works comprising nearly 100 oil paintings; over 100 watercolors and drawings; and 1,300 prints, photographs, sculptures and objects d’art.
The building is itself a work of art, featuring 1,062 triangular-shaped glass panels – the only structure of its kind in North America. Nicknamed The Enigma, it provides an unprecedented view of St. Petersburg’s picturesque waterfront. The Museum has attracted the world’s attention, and among the other distinguished awards it has received, it was listed by AOL Travel News as “one of the top buildings to see in your lifetime.”
The Dalí Museum is located at One Dalí Boulevard, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701. For additional information contact 727.823.3767.
MEDIA CONTACT
Lorin Konchak, lkonchak@paradiseadv.com, 954.815.2156
Tara Tufo, ttufo@paradiseadv.com, 727.821.5155 x 126