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Arts & Cultural Industries Grew at Twice the Rate of U.S. Economy, Adding $1.2 Trillion

Dawn Heinen, Digital Communications Manager

Latest Data Reveal Continued Growth for the Arts Sector, But Struggles Remain Post Pandemic

The arts and cultural sector grew at more than twice the rate of the total economy between 2022 and 2023, according to new data from the Arts and Cultural Production Satellite Account (ACPSA), a product of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA).

bar graph showing real value added for arts and cultural production satellite account (ACPSA) compared with US GDP - percent change over year - 2019 4% ACPSA increase vs 2.2% GDP increase, 2020 1.7% ACPSA decrease vs 2% GDP decrease, 2021 nearly 11% ACPSA increase vs 6% GDP increase, 2022 4% ACPSA increase vs 2.3% GPD increase, 2023 6.5% ACPSA increase vs 3% GPD increase
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis

ACPSA tracks the annual economic value of arts and cultural production from 35 industry groups—including both commercial and nonprofit entities. In 2023, the most recent year for which data are available, arts and culture again surpassed its annual value added to the U.S. economy with $1.2 trillion, representing 4.2 percent of the nation’s GDP and supporting 5.4 million jobs. Most of the arts and cultural industries have exceeded their pre-pandemic numbers for value added; however, several are at or below their 2019 levels.

The real value added by arts and culture (i.e., in inflation-adjusted dollars) has doubled over a 25-year period. As in previous years, the arts added more to U.S. GDP than did the sectors of agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting; mining; outdoor recreation; and transportation and warehousing.

By 2023, most arts and cultural industries were restored to or exceeded pre-pandemic levels of economic activity, with 27 out of 35 arts industries posting amounts above 2019 levels. This includes the value added by performing arts presenters and agents and managers.

The value to national GDP of independent artists, writers, and performers was roughly on par with the 2019 level, though it represented a decrease from the 2022 level. Performing arts organizations—which took a bigger hit from the 2020 recession than did many other industries—grew 31.6 percent between 2022 and 2023 but remained 12.3 percent below the 2019 level in value added.

A national summary report and an accompanying interactive graphic is available, along with state-level estimates.

Economic Impact at the State Level

two charts comparing the U.S. to Massachusetts in value added and employment. For value added, Massachusetts was 3 or 4% lower percentage-wise than the U.S. in 2022, but that increased in 2023 to match the U.S. value added. For employment, the U.S. figure was up 5% over Massachusetts' in 2022. In 2023, Massachusetts stayed flat and the U.S. decreased to match it.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) reports that in 2023 arts and cultural production in Massachusetts accounted for:

  • $29.7 billion economic impact
  • 130,263 jobs
  • 4.04% of the state’s economy

Trends in Arts & Cultural Production: 2022-2023

  • In 2023, Massachusetts ranked 9th among all states in ACPSA value added and 26th among all states in ACPSA value added growth. Since 2022, ACPSA value added has grown 7.5 percent in Massachusetts, compared with an increase of 7.6 percent for the United States.
  • In 2023, Massachusetts ranked 13th among all states in ACPSA employment and 28th among all states in ACPSA employment growth. Since 2022, ACPSA employment has decreased 0.1 percent in Massachusetts, compared with an increase of 0.3 percent for the United States.

Comparing Arts and Culture to Other Sectors of the Massachusetts Economy

Arts and cultural value added in Massachusetts ranked 2nd among the comparison sectors. Comparison industries are selected industry categories using the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) drawn from BEA’s 2023 state level data for compensation and value added by industry. Employment figures shown are from 2022, as 2023 data were not available at the time of publication. The comparisons are not mutually exclusive. For example, arts and culture includes portions of other sectors such as construction and retail trade.

bar graph comparing 2023 economic impact across various sectors - Retail $34,858,600,000 Arts & Culture $29,739,104,000 Construction $29,066,000,000 Education Services $20,774,700,000 Transportation $15,079,800,000 Utilities $12,389,600,000 Agriculture and Forestry $905,300,000 Mining $211,700,000
Source: National Assembly of State Arts Agencies report on ASPCA data

Related Materials

The NEA’s website details the findings in a number of resources, including a press release, national summary report, and state-level summary report.

BEA has produced ACPSA fact-sheets for each state.

The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies has created an interactive dashboard by state.

2024 Cultural Asset Inventory – new data released by Mass Cultural Council quantifies size, scope, economic impact—and needs—of individual generators and cultural organizations statewide.

 

graphic depicting Massachusetts statistics for Arts economies and employment in 2023 according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. $29.7 billion value added to state's economy by the arts. 4% arts' value added as a share of state's economy. $15.7 Billion was paid in arts worker compensation. 130,263 employed by the arts sector.


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