 While over $2 billion are brought in by Minnesota artists and nonprofits each year, according to a study released over the weekend, the announcement was made at the Arts Expo in Bemidji by Creative Minnesota and the Minnesota Citizens for the Arts and the Region 2 Arts Council. The groups received information from 2,000 artists and culture organizations across the state to determine the economic impact of arts in the region. In Region 2, including Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Lake of the Woods, and Manoman counties, there was an economic impact of nearly $11 million in all. It's a big part of Minnesota's economy. If you compare Minnesota's arts economy to surrounding states, we're just blowing everybody out of the water. We have double the arts economy in Minnesota than they do in Wisconsin, for example, even though we have pretty much the same population, ten and a half times the arts economy of Kansas and twelve and a half times the arts economy of South Dakota. The group hopes to have another similar study done within the next two years in order to have the most up-to-date statistics. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.