A snapshot of how the arts and culture sector impacts community and economic development.
IMPACT POINTS
Research from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis shows that the arts drive 4.9% of the U.S. GDP, generating $736.6 billion in 2015.
The total number of arts and cultural jobs for the nation was 4.92 million.
Research from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis shows that the arts drive 4.4% of the U.S. GDP. Between 2020 and 2021, the total economic value added by arts and cultural industries grew by 13.7 percent.
Creativity makes businesses better. Companies that foster creativity are 3.5 times more likely to outperform their peers in terms of revenue growth.
In towns of all sizes, city councils and local government agencies often transcended traditional turfs and training to specifically to foster arts-driven downtown revitalization.
Research into the role of the arts in economic development highlight five ways the arts work: they creative a fast-growth, dynamic business sector, they help mature industries become more competitive, they provide critical ingredients for innovative places, they catalyze community revitalization, and the deliver a better prepared workforce.
"Arts and Culture Grow for Fourth Straight Year." (2018) Retrieved 16 May 2018 from https://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/general/acpsa/acpsanewsrelease.htm
Bureau of Economic Analysis. Retrieved March 2023 from https://www.arts.gov/news/press-releases/2023/new-data-show-economic-ac…
Bureau of Economic Analysis. Retrieved October 11, 2023 from https://www.arts.gov/news/press-releases/2023/new-data-show-economic-ac…
van Keeken, P. (2015)
Markusen, A. and A Gadwa. "Arts and Culture in Urban or Regional Planning: A Review and Research Agenda. Journal of Planning Education and Research 29(3) 379–391. 383. Retrieved 4 May 2018 from http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0739456X09354380.
Waits, M. "Five Roles for Arts, Culture, and Design in Economic Development. Community Development Investment Review. Retrieved 15 May 2018 from https://www.frbsf.org/community-development/files/five-roles-for-arts-c…
EXAMPLES OF PRACTICE
The LA County Arts Commission developed "Project Willowbrook," an arts-related asset map after its "ways to listen" campaign aimed at noting community-identified needs. This asset map and vision document will be used to inform city planning in
Urban ArtWorks is a program that provides arts-based employment for teens who face barriers to the arts, education, employment, or who are in the juvenile justice system. Their values include connection, expression, belonging, integrity, and anti-
The city used public art to help revitalize Roosevelt Row during the 2008 financial crisis. It resulted in increased pedestrian traffic and partnerships between city organizations and businesses, along with blankets for the homeless.
Ashé, a project of Efforts of Grace, Inc., is a community cultural arts center deeply rooted in Central City New Orleans that serves as a hub for people of African descent who live there.
Connect the Lots uses arts, cultural, and recreational activities to activate vacant and underutilized city spaces. The activities visually connect neighborhoods, engage the community, and attract visitors.
Our Community Arts Engagement initiatives serve families in the Austin area by providing all-ages arts, music, and cultural programs for kids, parents, and caretakers to enjoy together. Our programs are a fun way for people to become more actively
READING LIST
ORGANIZATIONS
Our Town/How to Do Creative Placemaking
The program supports creative placemaking projects that help transform communities through strategies that incorporate arts, culture, and design. The program also offers creative placemaking resources.
The Arts Impact Explorer was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Mellon Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional support provided by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.
of the Arts + Social Impact Explorer
