The Murfreesboro City Council gave final approval Thursday to the City's participation in a statewide study of the economic impact of arts and culture.

"We believe Murfreesboro has much to offer in the way of cultural, heritage and artistic assets that not only highlight our community but benefit citizens economically," said Assistant City Manager Jennifer Moody. "From Uncle Dave Macon Days and the Greenway Arts Festival to Stones River National Battlefield, Oaklands Mansion, Bradley Academy and MTSU, Murfreesboro is rich with arts and culture."

The City of Murfreesboro has been recommended by the Tennessee Arts Commission (TAC) http://tnartscommission.org/ to participate as the primary point of contact and coordinator of a countywide study of the economic impact of the local arts and culture industry. Americans for the Arts (AFTC) http://www.americansforthearts.org/ is conducting the national study known as Arts & Economic Prosperity V.

The study will be the largest and most comprehensive of its kind ever conducted, using professional economists from Georgia Tech to analyze local data. The statewide findings from this study will serve as a critical advocacy and branding tool for Tennessee's arts industry. The complete report will be published in June 2017.

Though the fee to participate in the study is $8,500, the City of Murfreesboro has received both a 50% discount ($4, 250) through a partnership between TAC and AFTC and awarded a Tennessee Arts Commission Special Opportunities Grant ($4,250) to offset the full 100% of the study participation fees.