A Common Misconception

The majority of the population enjoy the arts: their beauty, inspiration, creativity. However, most people have a common misunderstanding that communities support the arts and culture at the expense of local economic development. Nationally, the nonprofit arts and culture industry creates $166.2 billion in economic activity annually. This spending assists 5.7 million full-time jobs in the United States. Because arts and culture organizations are firmly planted in their communities, these are jobs that remain local and cannot be shipped overseas. The industry also generates almost $30 billion in revenue to local, state, and federal governments each year. These levels of government collectly spend less than $4 million annually to support arts and culture. Also, arts and culture attract many tourists, and tourism research repeatedly shows that cultural travelers stay longer and spend more. Whether serving the local community or out-of-town visitors, an active arts and culture industry helps local businesses blossom. Today, cities all over the world are competing to entice new businesses as well as bright young professionals. International studies show that the winners will be communities that offer an abundance of arts and culture opportunities. As the arts flourish, so will change and creativity, the fuel that motivates our global economy.

Source: Americans for the Arts. Arts & Economic Prosperity III. Washington, D.C.