The Market is extraordinary in many ways, and while this can’t be expressed fully in statistics, the numbers do tell a compelling story. Here are some details from last year’s market (2010):
Artists Participation
The Market had 375 applicants. There were 132 artists from 50 different countries across 6 continents“”5 new countries including Cuba, Israel, Kazakhstan, Oman and Ukraine
More than half of the artists were first-timers to the Market. 45% of artists were sponsored by non-profits/NGOs or cooperatives; 46% were self-sponsored; and 9% were sponsored by dealers. 57 artists were from cooperatives that represent 30,700 artisans””positively impacting the lives of over 300,000 extended family members
The Market was able to fully sponsor 24 artists and their interpreters (covering airfare, food, and lodging) through the generosity of individual contributions and private foundations.
Attendance
22,167 people attended (a 6.6% increase over 2008). More than half of attendees (63%) came from outside of Santa Fe from 38 different states and 7 foreign countries. International dignitaries and governmental representatives from Indonesia, Sultanate of Oman, South Africa, Namibia, Cuba, and France visited as well.
Artists’ Sales
Artists’ sales increased by 10.2% from the 2009 Market– from $1.95 million to $2.1 million. The average sales per booth amounted to $15,700. Artists retain 90% of their sales. Revenues earned support their livelihoods and their families and helps sustain entire communities.
Community Volunteers
A corps of over 1,600 dedicated volunteers helped create this event. Volunteers were involved in nearly every facet of the Market, dedicating over 17,600 of hours of work towards planning, overseeing, and executing artist coordination, hospitality, marketing, events, office assistance, and Market production. The dollar value of volunteer time dedicated to the 2010 Market is estimated at $798,187.
Economic Impact
Out-of-town visitors spent on average $629 per party while in Santa Fe generating approximately $1.3 million in GRT and lodger’s tax. GRT from artists’ sales totaled $169,876 paid directly to the State of New Mexico. We estimate overall economic impact to the city and state from out-of-town visitors on lodging and additional spending as well as from taxes on artists’ sales at $13.5 million. Total economic impact of the Market on the region, including contracts and salaries totals $16.1 million!