Arts & Economic Prosperity IV

Economic Impact of the Nonprofit Arts & Culture Industry

Arts & Economic Prosperity IV is our fourth study of the nonprofit arts and culture industry's impact on the economy. The most comprehensive study of its kind ever conducted, it gives us a quantifiable economic impact of nonprofit arts and culture organizations and their audiences. Using findings from 182 regions representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia, an input-output economic model is able to deliver national estimates.

The following data is taken from the 2010 study. If you are looking for the most updated numbers, please visit our current Arts & Economic Prosperity 5. For data points from Arts & Economic Prosperity I or II, please contact us at [email protected].

Nationally, the industry generated $135.2 billion of economic activity—$61.1 billion by the nation's nonprofit arts and culture organizations in addition to $74.1 billion in event-related expenditures by their audiences. This economic activity supports 4.13 million full-time jobs and generates $86.68 billion in resident household income. Our industry also generates $22.3 billion in revenue to local, state, and federal governments every year—a yield well beyond their collective $4 billion in arts allocations. Despite the economic headwinds that our country faced in 2010, the results are impressive.

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.

Download the Reports

Brochure Image

Brochure

The brochure highlights the study's top-level numbers and must-know facts.

AEP IV Summary Report Cover

Summary Report

with Background, Scope, and Methodology

The summary report goes a bit deeper to explain audience spending, organizations' impact on the community, and cultural tourism.

AEP IV Summary Report Cover

National Report

with Data Tables and Survey Instruments

The national report contains the summary along with data tables and detailed methodology. 
Make the Case for Arts Support in Your Community
  • Arts & Economic Prosperity IV Sample PowerPoint (PowerPoint, 4,155 KB)
    Download this sample PowerPoint presentation of the national economic impact findings. You can also insert your community's local findings into this presentation and use it to present to key leaders and decision-makers in your community.
  • Arts & Economic Prosperity IV Press & Media Toolkit (PDF, 4,730 KB)
    Complete with sample op-eds, proclamations, media alerts, and more, this tool kit is designed to help you effectively disseminate, share, and leverage the findings of Arts & Economic Prosperity IV in your community. Also find tips on getting the message out within your local arts & business communities, as well as to your elected officials.
  • "Swiss Cheese"  Press Release and Media Alert  (Word, 65 KB)
    To help make the case for the arts in your local media, we suggest you download this editable copy of our press release and tailor it for your local area.
  • United States Conference of Mayors Resolution (PDF, 89 KB)
    On June 13–16, at its 80th Annual Meeting, the U.S. Conference of Mayors unanimously adopted a resolution supporting the conclusions of the Arts and Economic Prosperity IV study and urged mayors across the country to invest in nonprofit arts organizations through their local arts agencies.
  • Arts & Economic Prosperity IV Sound Bites (PDF, 305 KB)
    View our list of sample sound bites, perfect for using when talking to the press and other stakeholders about the Arts & Economic Prosperity IV study.
Resources for the Media

"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Americans for the Arts, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education, proudly announces the findings from Arts & Economic Prosperity IV™,  the fourth economic impact study of the nonprofit arts and culture organizations and their audiences..."

Selected Press Coverage of Arts & Economic Prosperity III

Randy Cohen and Seema Sueko discuss the economic impact of the arts in San Diego, CA on KPBS:

Need more information? Have questions? Want to conduct an economic impact study in your community?
E-mail or call us at 202.371.2830.