The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis has released its 2023 report on the Arts and Cultural Production Satellite Account, unveiling significant growth in the sector's economic activity. Inflation-adjusted arts and cultural economic activity rose 6.6 percent in 2023, following a 3.8 percent increase in 2022. This growth outpaced the broader economy's increase of 2.9 percent in 2023. Arts and cultural activities constituted 4.2 percent of the GDP, equivalent to $1.17 trillion.
Core industries, encompassing performing arts, museums, design services, and educational services, saw a 5.5 percent increase in 2023. Supporting industries, which involve art support and information services, grew by 7.1 percent that year. The performing arts sector, a notable contributor, expanded by 3.5 percent in 2023 after a substantial 24.9 percent growth in 2022. Museums grew by 18.0 percent, design services by 6.3 percent, and educational services by 1.8 percent.
Nationally, nominal value added for arts and cultural industries increased 7.6 percent, with supporting industries contributing significantly at $873.8 billion, led by information services. Core industries witnessed a 10.6 percent increase, led by performing arts and design services. Most states, along with the District of Columbia, saw growth with percentage changes ranging from a high of 14.7 percent in Nevada to a decline of 3.4 percent in Louisiana.
In Nevada, increased value added was driven by promoters of performing arts and publishing, while in Louisiana, the motion pictures sector led the decline. The arts and cultural GDP share ranged, with Washington state at 9.8 percent and Delaware at 1.2 percent. The highest shares were in Washington, D.C., New York, California, and Nevada.
Arts and cultural employment grew by 0.3 percent nationwide, with North Carolina showing the highest increase at 7.6 percent and Hawaii the largest decline at 6.6 percent. North Carolina's government and retail industries were key contributors to employment growth, while Hawaii's decline was linked to construction and motion pictures.
Compensation in the arts and cultural sectors rose by 3.6 percent across the nation. Nevada recorded the highest increase at 12.7 percent, and Georgia the largest decrease at 6.9 percent. The Bureau's release includes updated data on arts and cultural production statistics through 2023, enhancing understanding of this sector's economic impact.
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