The Center for an Urban Future produced this report in partnership with Mt. Auburn Associates. The report builds upon the Centers2002 report about the role of arts and culture in New Yorks economy, titled The Creative Engine,ﾝ as well as Mt. Auburns considerable analysis of the creative economy. The Center for an Urban Future is a New York City-based think tank dedicated to independent, fact-based research about critical issues affecting New Yorks future including economic development, workforce development, higher education and the arts. Mt. Auburn Associates is a Massachusetts-based consulting firm that focuses on economic development analysis and strategy. The report was written by Robin Keegan and Neil Kleiman of the Center for an Urban Future with Beth Siegel and Michael Kane of Mt. Auburn Associates.

This groundbreaking report shows that New York's vast creative sector, from arts organizations to ad agencies, is one of the city's most important, and least understood, economic assets.