press room
For Immediate Release
05/12/2008Contact:
Beth Garcia
Goodman Media International for Americans for the Arts
212.576.2700 ext. 242 or bgarcia@goodmanmedia.com
New Study Reveals that Arts-Related Businesses Provide Significant Employment in all 50 States
WASHINGTON, DC — May 12, 2008 — Americans for the Arts today released Creative Industries 2008: The State Report, which presents detailed analysis of arts-related businesses, institutions, and organizations in the country's 50 states plus the District of Columbia. The study reveals that arts-centric businesses represent 4.3 percent of all businesses and 2.2 percent of all jobs in the United States and that the arts are a robust and formidable economic growth sector.
Other highlights include:
- More than 612,000 arts-related businesses employ 2.98 million people nationwide.
- Arts-centric businesses grew 12 percent from 2007 compared to the growth of 10.7 percent for all U.S. businesses.
- Employment growth by arts-centric businesses since 2007 was 11.6 percent, more than four times the rise in the total number of U.S. employees of 2.4 percent.
The creative industries range from nonprofit museums, symphonies, and theaters to for-profit film, architecture, and advertising companies. The study tracks and maps the presence of these arts-related entities in six creative industries: museums and collections; performing arts; visual arts and photography; film, radio, and TV; design and publishing; and arts schools and services.
"This study further supports the importance of the arts as states and their communities plan their economic progress to stay competitive in an increasingly global workforce," said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts.
In addition to the national findings, Americans for the Arts researchers have combined the Dun & Bradstreet data and geo-economic analysis to track the creative industries at state, local, and political levels. Creative Industries 2008: The State Report includes five charts that compare the creative industries business and employment information for all 50 states in the U.S plus the District of Columbia. Included in these charts are comparative rankings among the states for total number of arts businesses and total number of arts employees; and percent change in arts businesses and employees. Regardless of the state's ranking, arts-centric businesses and employees can be found in every state.
The Creative Industries 2008: The State Report, as well as additional reports on cities and U.S. Congressional Districts, can be found at: www.AmericansforTheArts.org/CreativeIndustries.
Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. With offices in Washington, DC, and New York City, it has a record of 48 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.
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