The Economic and Social Impact Study of Nonprofit Arts & Culture Organizations and Their Audiences in Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Arts Board joins Americans for the Arts (AFTA) in announcing the results of a comprehensive economic impact study of the nonprofit arts and culture industry conducted in Wisconsin from 2022-2023: Arts and Economic Prosperity 6. The study reveals that Wisconsin's nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $933.3 million in economic activity in 2022. That economic activity - $437.1 million in spending by nonprofit arts and culture organizations and $496.2 million in event-related spending by their audiences - supported 15,851 jobs and generated $190.1 million in local, state, and federal government revenue. Spending by arts and culture audiences generates valuable commerce to local merchants, a value-add that few other industries can claim.
“The Wisconsin Arts Board is proud to have partnered with Americans for the Arts for the 6th time on this study to measure the profound economic impact of Wisconsin's nonprofit arts and culture organizations and their audiences," said George Tzougros, Executive Director of the Wisconsin. “We are also proud that our lead participation in the study helped to underwrite six additional studies in Wisconsin: the City of Eau Claire, City of Milwaukee, Dane County, Door County, Greater Green Bay Area, and the St. Croix Valley each worked with AFTA on a more focused study of their own community.
Nationally, the Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) study reveals that America's nonprofit arts and culture sector is a $151.7 billion industry—one that supports 2.6 million jobs and generates $29.1 billion in government revenue.
“Arts and culture organizations have a powerful ability to attract and hold dollars in the community longer. They employ people locally, purchase goods and services from nearby businesses, and produce the authentic cultural experiences that are magnets for visitors, tourists, and new residents," said Nolen V. Bivens, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “When we invest in nonprofit arts and culture, we strengthen our economy and build more livable communities."
AEP6 represents a reset from its previous versions, establishing a new benchmark in the AEP study series: social impact. For the first time, AEP6 expands beyond the economic and financial data to include social impact measurements of arts and culture's effect on the well-being of communities and residents.
“The economic and social impacts of the arts and culture are felt daily in Wisconsin communities," said Brian Kelsey, Board Chairperson of the Wisconsin Arts Board. “In addition to contributing to Wisconsin's creative economy, the arts and culture are important parts of creating the future we want for our communities and our state."
The full report, a map of the 373 study regions, and a two-page economic impact summary for each, can be found at AEP6.AmericansForTheArts.org.
The Wisconsin Arts Board is the state agency which nurtures creativity, cultivates expression, promotes the arts, supports the arts in education, stimulates community and economic development and serves as a resource for people of every culture and heritage.
Americans for the Arts is the nation's nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. Established in 1960, Americans for the Arts' is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts.