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Arts & Economic Prosperity III: The Economic Impact of Nonprofit Arts and Culture Organizations and Their Audiences documents the key role played by the nonprofit arts and culture industry in strengthening our nation’s economy. This study demonstrates that the nonprofit arts and culture industry is an economic driver in communities—a growth industry that supports jobs, generates government revenue, and is the cornerstone of tourism.
Nationally, the nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $166.2 billion in economic activity every year—$63.1 billion in spending by organizations and an additional $103.1 billion in event-related spending by their audiences. The study is the most comprehensive study of the nonprofit arts and culture industry ever conducted. It documents the economic impact of the nonprofit arts and culture industry in 156 communities and regions (116 cities and counties, 35 multicounty regions, and five states), and represents all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
The $166.2 billion in total economic activity has a significant national impact, generating the following:
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5.7 million full-time equivalent jobs
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$104.2 billion in household income
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$7.9 billion in local government tax revenues
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$9.1 billion in state government tax revenues
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$12.6 billion in federal income tax revenues
Our Arts & Economic Prosperity studies continue to be among the most frequently cited statistics used to demonstrate the impact of the nation’s nonprofit arts industry on the local, state, and national economy.
Questions? Check out our frequently asked questions page.
Want to promote AEPIII? Put the web sticker on your website.
Download the Reports
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Brochure with Study Highlights |
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Summary Report with Background, Scope, and Methodology |
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National Report with Data Tables and Survey Instruments |
Make the Case for Arts Support in Your Community
- Estimate Your Economic Impact with our Arts & Economic Prosperity III Calculator
- Download a PowerPoint Presentation of the National Economic Impact Findings
- Download a Sample Opinion-Editorial about the Study
- June 3 – Las Vegas Review Journal
NEVADA VIEWS: Las Vegas and the arts
Do you have a local issue that you would like to include in an opinion piece about the Arts & Economic Prosperity III study? Contact research@artsusa.org for more information.
- The Tool Kit—An informal and ever-expanding web resource with tips, tools, and suggestions on using economic impact data (23-page pdf)
- View a map of our participating study regions and download a one page economic impact summary from a community near you.
Resources for the Media
- The 156 Participating Study Regions, with contact information for the Local Study Partners
- Press Release, announcing the National Study findings
- Congressional Arts Briefing, Washington, DC (May 22, 2007)
- Press Release, announcing the Local and Comparative Study findings
- Summary of Findings for the 156 Participating Study Regions
- Audio: Listen to streaming audio or download the audio from the Release of the Local and Comparative Study Findings, Chicago, IL (June 6, 2007)
- Robert L. Lynch (mp3, 4.4MB)
- Jonathan Fanton (mp3, 3.6MB)
- Lois Weisberg (mp3, 2.5MB)
- Diane Swonk (mp3, 3.5MB)
Selected Press Coverage of Arts & Economic Prosperity III
- Newsday, May 23: An Art to Generating $166B for Business
- Philanthropy News Digest, May 23: Arts Economy Is Robust, Report Finds
- Bloomberg, May 22: Arts Groups Pumped $166.2 Billion Into U.S. in 2005, Study Says
- The Chronicle of Philanthropy, May 22: Arts Groups Are Growing Part of American Economy, Report Says
- Forbes, May 22: Americans for the Arts' Study Shows $166 Billion in Economic Activity and 5.7 Million Jobs Are Generated Annually by the Nonprofit Arts and Culture Industry
- Washington Post, May 22: Nonprofit Arts Groups Rebound from 9/11 Slide
National Partners
The following national organizations partner with Americans for the Arts to help public- and private-sector leaders understand the economic and social benefits that the arts bring to their communities, states, and the nation.
Need more information? Have questions? Want to conduct an economic impact study in your community? Contact us or call us at 202.371.2830.
