Arts Groups Are Growing Part of American Economy, Report Says

Nonprofit arts groups help to produce $166-billion in economic activity in the United States and are hiring a growing number of workers, The Washington Post reports.

The study, conducted by Americans for the Arts, a lobbying and research group in Washington and New York, used data from 6,080 organizations and questionnaires from 94,478 people who attended arts and cultural events.

The survey shows the organizations spent $63-billion and audiences spent $103-billion. Total spending by the groups and their patrons has grown by 24 percent since 2002.

People who attended arts events spent an average of nearly $28 on items such as restaurants, refreshments, and parking. Federal, local, and state tax revenue generated by the arts amounted to $29.6-billion, up almost 25 percent from 2002.

Arts organizations employ 5.7 million people in full-time jobs, compared with 4.85 million five years ago. “We have seen the organizations grow, and their staffs grow,” said Randy Cohen, vice president of policy and research at Americans for the Arts.

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