Arts and Cultural Assets

Domain C: Arts and Cultural Assets is multifaceted, as it describes the economic impact of the arts in the United States (i.e., inputs and outputs) as well as types of arts funding and infrastructure, and where arts and cultural assets are located.

For more information on Domain C, view our infographic and access short papers and data for each indicator below. New indicators and updated statistics for current indicators will be released as data become available.

Key Findings

• Contribution to the U.S. Economy in 2022
   
  • In inflation-adjusted dollars, arts and cultural industries contributed $1.04 trillion to the U.S. GDP. (See C.1. What do the arts contribute to the U.S. economy?)
  • Information services was the largest arts and cultural industry in the U.S., saw the largest absolute and percentage increases during the last 5 years—from $429 billion in 2018 to $553 billion in 2022, an increase of $123 billion or 29 percent. (See C.1. What do the arts contribute to the U.S. economy?)
  • Exports from U.S. arts and cultural industries surpassed the value of imports by $21 billion. Design services, information services, and other publishing had the highest net values. (See C.1. What do the arts contribute to the U.S. economy?)
• Employment in 2022
   
  • 5.2 million U.S. residents were employed by arts and cultural industries. Information services had the highest number of workers (1.4 million), followed by art support services (1.2 million), design services (612,000), performing arts (313,000), and manufacturing (155,000). (See C.2. Which industries employ artists and other cultural workers?)
• Compensation in 2022
   
  • Average compensation for all industries (arts and cultural industries as well as non-arts industries that produce arts and cultural goods) was $104,492, ranging from an average of $23,050 for the fine arts education industry to $165,627 for the information services industry. (See C.2. Which industries employ artists and other cultural workers?)
  • For the performing arts that year, average compensation ranged from $62,864 for performing arts companies to $226,424 for independent artists, writers, and performers. (See C.2. Which industries employ artists and other cultural workers?)

Explore the Indicators

C.1 What do the arts contribute to the U.S. economy?

This indicator presents trends in value-added for arts and culture industries, as well as trends over time in the total value and percentage of Gross Domestic Product for the arts and cultural sector. (See C.1 Tables for related data). This indicator is annually updated in October.

C.2 Which industries employ artists and other cultural workers?

This indicator presents major industries that employ artists and other cultural workers. (See C.2 Tables for related data). This indicator is annually updated in October.

C.3 How many artists and other cultural workers are employed in arts organizations and businesses?

This indicator examines the work classification (self-employed, private sector, public/government sector) of artists and other cultural workers and the industries they are most often employed in. (See C.3 Tables  for related data). This indicator is annually updated in October.

COMING SOON: Indicator C.4. How many small businesses are involved in the arts?

This indicator provides information on small businesses in the arts.

COMING IN 2026: Indicator C.5: What are the demographics of arts business owners?

This indicator provides demographic characteristics of businesses owners in the arts

Additional Resources 

• Arts and Cultural Production Satellite Account (ACPSA): The NEA partners with the Bureau of Economic Analysis (U.S. Department of Commerce) to provide annual reports of the economic impact of arts and culture in the United States. 
• NEA Guide to the U.S. Arts and Cultural Production Satellite Account: This paper accompanying the release   of the ACPSA preliminary estimates for 1998-2011 consists of two parts: one explains the background and inner working of the account and the other advances a new framework for understanding the arts/cultural labor force.
• How the United States Funds the Arts: This report provides a comprehensive overview of the diverse network of public and private funders that directly and indirectly support the arts in the U.S.
• The Effects of Ticket Pricing on Arts Attendance Patterns: An Economics Literature Review (2000-2018): This research paper distills economics research, spanning nearly two decades, about the relationship between ticket pricing and public demand for visual and performing arts events.
• Industrial Design: A Competitive Edge for U.S. Manufacturing Success in the Global Economy: This 2017 report makes the case that industrial design is an underutilized catalyst for growth for U.S. small and medium-sized manufacturers and a key ingredient in the future success of these firms.
• Arts Data Profile (ADP) tool: Accounting for the Nation's Arts and Cultural Goods and Services (1998-2012)

• Datasets at the National Archive of Data on Arts & Culture (NADAC): 

  • Arts and Cultural Production Satellite Account, United States, 1998-2022 (ICPSR 36357)
  • Kickstarter Data, Global, 2009-2023 (ICPSR 38050)
  • Business Trends and Outlook Survey, United States (ICPSR 38869)
  • Profile of Arts Incubators, United States, 2021 (ICPSR 38682)
  • Annual Business Survey (ABS), United States (ICPSR 38267)
  • Public Libraries in the United States Survey, 2016-2018 (ICPSR 37992)
  • Survey of Household Economics and Decisionmaking (SHED) April 2020: Supplemental Survey, United States (ICPSR 37921)
  • Small Business Pulse Survey (SBPS): Tracking Changes During The Coronavirus Pandemic (ICPSR 37868)
  • Economic Census of Island Areas, 5 United States territories, 2017 (ICPSR 37681)

   

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