The recent art exhibition of world renowned artist Pablo Piacasso, held in the Virginia Fine Arts Museum, not only drew over 230,000 visitors to Richmond, but left the city with a better return in economic activity than what was expected. According to The Richmond Times Dispatch, the exhibition, lasting from February to May, resulted in a $26.6 million economic impact to the Richmond region - $1.6 million more than the predicted amount. "You're talking about a $5 million exhibition for which we had zero funding on the day we said yes," says museum director Alex Nyerges.
The exhibition delivered "a highly successful return on what was a 'risky' venture for the museum, agreeing in early 2010 to become one of the only 3 museums nationwide to host the exhibit," explains Nyerges.
For more information on the exhibition and impact on the Richmond area, please click here.
