2024 Massachusetts Cultural Asset Inventory
New data quantifies size, scope, economic impact — and needs — of individual generators and cultural organizations across the Commonwealth
Mass Cultural Council, in collaboration with Diversity North Group, is proud to announce the completion of the 2024 Massachusetts Cultural Asset Inventory. This comprehensive data project, which took place from February-December 2024, identifies and documents thousands of cultural organizations, programs, and individuals contributing to the state’s vibrant cultural landscape. Details about the conceptual framework and methodology are available in the full report (PDF).
Key Findings
Organizations
- The cultural sector is large. We have identified 15,063 cultural organizations, and that is most likely lower than the true total number.
- Organizational legal models are shifting, only about half of the organizations are nonprofits.
- Of the 973 organizations found in the 990s reviewed by researchers, those nonprofit cultural organizations employ 24,894 people, making a vital contribution to the Massachusetts economy through $929,450,618 in salaries and wages.
Individuals/Generators
- There are at least 112,190 Generators (individuals making more than 50% of their income from 36 arts, humanities, science occupations) across the state. This represents 3% of the Commonwealth’s workforce.
- Of the 36 occupations included in the study, 28 occupations’ individual median income is below the Massachusetts Living Wage.
- The individual median income of Generators is $49,182, which is well below the state’s individual living wage of $58,011 as calculated by the MIT Living Wage Calculator in December 2024.
- Income inequity persists for women, immigrants, people who are BIPOC, and people with disabilities.
