DRIVING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PROVIDING COMMUNITY RESOURCES
INTRODUCTION Bethel Woods Center for the Arts inspires, educates, and empowers individuals through the arts and humanities. We are committed to leveraging our success as a gathering place that presents arts and humanities programs that contribute positively to the economic and cultural vibrancy of our region. Since construction began in 2004, almost half a billion dollars have flowed into New York State’s economy as a result of our activities. We have created over 60 full-time permanent and professional jobs—many of which are held by young adults. We have also helped stimulate more jobs in the surrounding area, with millions of dollars in wages creating both disposable income and sales tax revenue for our communities. While entitled to real estate tax exemptions, we choose instead to be a good neighbor and have contributed millions* in PILOT payments (Payments in Lieu of Taxes) to the state and surrounding municipalities. Our efforts are attracting the attention and financial support of individuals who also want to invest in the future of Bethel Woods and Sullivan County. That includes hundreds of individuals, foundations, businesses, and groups who share our vision and contribute toward approximately one-third of our operating revenue.
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*AKRF 2014 Economic Impact Study
TOURISM IS TRANSFORMATIONAL Visitors have long sparked our regional economy. They were first attracted to the health benefits of our fresh water and pure air. Later, thousands discovered the area’s refreshing summer climate and soon thereafter the great Catskills hotels were born. Today, tourism is New York’s greatest global export and 16% of Sullivan County’s labor income is tourism-related.** In fact, the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) has identified tourism as one of the top 10 industries driving economic development in our area. Bethel Woods has become a key contributor in attracting tourists to our corner of the Catskills, with over 2 million visitors since we opened. People from all over the world come to visit The Museum, the historic Woodstock festival site, participate in a festival, or to see a concert. Soon the Adelaar destination resort, Montreign Resort Casino, and Veria Lifestyle Wellness Resort will join us in creating an even more robust destination for visitors from across the globe.
MONTREIGN RESORT CASINO
** 2014 Tourism Economic Report by Oxford Economics
VERIA LIFESTYLE WELLNESS RESORT
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MYSTERYLAND USA
BUILDING A VIBRANT COMMUNITY AND STRENGTHENING THE ECONOMY Growing the regional economy, serving local communities, and building creative capital are critical to our mission. We accomplish each of these by offering nearly 300 rich cultural experiences every year through a variety of performances, programs, and activities, all of which have a positive impact on business, creativity, and life in the region. Our cultural center attracts over 250,000 guests annually. Some come for single concerts featuring superstar acts, others for multi-day festivals. Our outdoor pavilion consistently ranks in the top 30 of Pollstar Magazine’s top outdoor amphitheaters in the world. The smaller and more intimate Event Gallery draws fans throughout the year and features up-and-coming performers as well as legends, cabaret, and comedy, plus performances by the students who participate in our educational programs. Our Museum attracts heritage tourists from around the world who make the pilgrimage to see where the famous 1969 concert took
THE EVENT GALLERY
place and to experience stories and see artifacts housed in our permanent collection. Our visitors are good for local merchants, as they fuel spending on food, lodging, and other regional attractions. According to Americans for the Arts, people who attend nonprofit arts events spend between $25-$40 per person, per event, beyond the cost of admission on items such as meals, parking, and babysitters.
THE MUSEUM AT BETHEL WOODS
Bethel Woods continues to be a catalyst for growth, attracting investment as retailers and galleries locate adjacent to the Center. To the east, Kaunegona Lake continues to add restaurants and shops. To the south, the Rt. 17B corridor is growing with new dining, shopping, and entertainment options. With each new venture, our overall economic footprint expands as more and more tourists and regional neighbors patronize locally owned enterprises. 4
KAUNEONGA LAKE - RESTAURANT ROW
NURTURING A COMMUNITY’S CREATIVITY AND ITS LOCAL MERCHANTS Our ever-growing fall festivals provide artisans, farmers, brewers, distillers, and vintners an opportunity to share their handiwork. Here families and friends gather for fun and fellowship, enjoying the chance to talk with the farmers who grow their food, and artisans who handcraft unique items for sale. Our festivals embody the spirit of the farm to table movement, celebrating sustainability and providing the community with a convenient market in which to shop local. Plus, there is free entertainment and education featuring local musicians, teaching artists, and community groups.
THE HARVEST FESTIVAL For a series of Sundays each fall, people come from the surrounding region to enjoy a farmers’ market, craft fair, fresh food, and family fun. Each week a variety of vendors fill our tents with the bounty of the harvest season, unique and hand-made items, and delicious locally-produced treats. From fresh-picked apples to watching an artisan create custom-made jewelry, to bread served fresh from the oven, the community comes together in a spectacular setting for all
HARVEST FESTIVAL
this as well as live music and educational programs.
WINE FESTIVAL The Wine Festival attracts visitors from across the region to taste the best locally-produced wines and stock up on hard-to-find favorites, in a setting that also features fresh food, a market of handmade arts and crafts, live music, and fun, informative seminars.
CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL
WINE FESTIVAL
The Craft Beer Festival brings brew-masters from across the region to showcase their creative talents. As this cottage industry continues to grow in New York State, our festival continues to expand and attract new guests each year. United by a love of craft beer, guests participate in games, listen to live music, enjoy fresh food, learn about brewing techniques, and enjoy a marketplace filled with unique handmade items.
CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL
HOLIDAY MARKET This two-day event has become a December tradition for local families, and those looking for unique holiday gift ideas. It is a convenient, one-stop, ‘shop local’ experience for guests and vendors alike, and it continues to grow annually. Families also enjoy a live reading of holiday classics, photos with Santa, children’s crafts, and a holiday feature film.
HOLIDAY MARKET
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PLAY: THEATER PERFORMANCE
A VALUABLE COMMUNITY RESOURCE We believe that the arts are critical to the strength of any community. Our educational programs for young people— E3: Engage. Experience. Explore., PLAY: Music, PLAY: Theater, Project: Identity, and Saturdays at the Woods—are designed to give them the opportunities to explore the arts, history, and their own creative self-expression.
“Ya know, I don’t have many friends, and I really like you guys. We don’t have to wait for the next Project Identity program to hang out.”
– Overheard from a teen at Project: Identity. For many teens, exploring their creative roots in a safe environment improves social engagement, self-confidence, and leads to benefits that last a lifetime. We’re helping form tomorrow’s community leaders through positive, character building experiences today.
“What really worked about the program was how you made it easy and convenient for parents who were struggling but wanted their child to do something they can be proud of.”
– Message from a parent. When families attend programs together, like Saturday at the Woods, E:3, and Harvest Festival, they find fun, new ways to spend quality time together and to learn about each other and their community. They engage, discover their potential, and carry those shared experiences into the community.
“This is a wonderful opportunity. It would be great to create a similar program for seniors.”
– Note from an adult learner. And we will! Vital, prosperous communities never stop growing, because they never stop learning. Learning doesn’t stop with graduation—it continues for a lifetime. With programs like our WoodsTalk: Live speaker series and blog, we deliver informative, interactive, stimulating ways to keep the intellectual conversation going and the community growing. 6
To expand education and outreach even more and utilize the creative resources in our area, we also offer a COMMUNITY TEACHING ARTISTS program, employing local artists to bring a fresh perspective to area youth and help them to hone their own skills. We join with and host area businesses and non-profits to promote economic and cultural growth as well as social awareness and change. Some of our partner organizations include Bradstan Cabaret, Shandelee Music Festival, The Non-Profit Summit, and Project Lazarus, a drug intervention workshop and conference. We also do our part to provide free and low-cost cultural experiences and performances on and off our campus to schools, under-served families with young children, and social services organizations such as Boys & Girls Clubs, New Hope Community, and Sullivan Arc for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Combined, all of our events drive cultural and economic development, which in turn produces a wide variety of positive impacts, from increased traffic for local business to more confident and capable kids. Finally, and of great importance, is the impact of our volunteers. Our guests enjoy exceptional experiences here at Bethel Woods in large measure because of their dedication and commitment. Volunteers are the heart and soul of our operation. Each gives of his or her time for many different reasons—to make new friends, to develop new skills, or for the sheer joy of being at this beautiful location. Whatever their motivation, volunteers give from their heart and make our guests feel welcome, every day.
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“We built Bethel Woods to create a better place for people of this county and region to live, work, and play. ”
— Alan Gerry, Founder and Chairman
MISSION
CORE VALUES
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts is a
• We draw inspiration from our unique place in history.
not-for-profit cultural center that inspires, empowers, and educates individuals through the arts and humanities.
VISION
• We encourage individual creativity and expression. • We recognize and value the arts and humanities and their
contribution to physical and psychological wellbeing and its
positive impact upon individuals and communities.
A unique educational, performance, and
• We honor the participation of staff, volunteers, and donors and count
retreat environment focused on building
creative capital to inspire individuals to
• We create a safe and enjoyable environment for all who work and visit.
contribute positively to the world around them.
as essential their contributions to Bethel Woods’ mission.
• We leverage our success for the economic and social benefit
of Sullivan County.
• We maintain our grounds and facilities to the highest standards. • We respect all individuals and value diversity of ideas, abilities,
BETHELWOODSCENTER.ORG
and expression. Photos by Kevin Ferguson and Michael Bloom.