Americans for the Arts

The arts are fundamental to our humanity. They ennoble and inspire us—fostering creativity, goodness, and beauty. The arts bring us joy, help us express our values, and build bridges between cultures. The arts are also a fundamental component of a healthy community—strengthening them socially, educationally, and economically—benefits that persist even in difficult social and economic times.

The entire U.S. arts and culture sector (i.e., nonprofit, commercial, education) is a $764 billion industry. This represents 4.2 percent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)—a larger share of the economy than transportation, agriculture, or construction—according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.