St. Louis, MO – Today, the Missouri Arts Council and Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe announced that Missouri’s nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $1.725 billion in economic activity in 2022, according to the newly released Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) economic and social impact study conducted by the national nonprofit Americans for the Arts (AFTA).
The $1.725 billion of economic activity includes $1.136 billion in spending by nonprofit arts and culture organizations and nearly $589.3 million in event-related spending by their audiences. This spending supported 13,356 jobs and generated nearly $14.1 million in local, state, and federal government revenue.
“The study confirms what Missouri has long appreciated—the arts create stronger economies and more vibrant communities,” said Michael Donovan, Missouri Arts Council executive director. “The State of Missouri is more innovative and resourceful when the arts thrive.”
The study also reinforces that cultural tourism is a powerful economic driver for Missouri. 30.1% of arts and culture attendees in Missouri were from outside the county where the activity occurred. Attendees spent an average of $60.57 per person per event, not including the cost of admission. Local attendees spent an average of $29.77 per person per event.
“The arts have a profound impact on our state’s cultural, educational, and economic vitality,” said Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe. “We’re proud to promote Missouri as a great place to live, work, and visit, and the arts play an important role in Missouri’s tourism industry.”
Nationally, AEP6 states that America’s nonprofit arts and culture sector is a $151.7 billion industry, supporting 2.6 million jobs and generating $29.1 billion in government revenue.
“Arts and culture organizations have a powerful ability to attract and hold dollars in the community longer,” said Nolen V. Bivens, AFTA president and CEO. “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.”
The full report and the two-page summary for Missouri are at the Missouri Arts Council’s website, missouriartscouncil.org. The national report, a map of the 373 study regions throughout the U.S., and the two-page summary for each region are at AEP6.AmericansForTheArts.org.
Americans for the Arts is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education. AFTA has conducted art economic impact studies about every five years since 1994. Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 was supported by The Ruth Lilly Endowment Fund of Americans for the Arts. AFTA’s 297 study partners, including the Missouri Arts Council, contributed time and financial support to the study.
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About the Missouri Arts Council
The Missouri Arts Council provides support to nonprofit organizations through grants that meet its strategic goals: 1) engage people in meaningful arts experiences, 2) grow Missouri’s economy using the arts, 3) strengthen Missouri education through the arts. This funding makes quality arts programming possible in communities statewide.
The Council also provides expertise in community development, fundraising, marketing, grant writing, arts education, and artistic disciplines (visual arts, music, literature, theater, dance, festivals, and film/media).
Established as a state agency in 1965, the Missouri Arts Council is a division of the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. The Council is funded through the Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Cultural Trust, and National Endowment for the Arts.