Arts and cultural economic activity accounted for 4.4% of U.S. GDP, $1 trillion, in 2021

Report from the Bureau of Economic Analysis:

Arts and cultural economic activity, adjusted for inflation, increased 13.7 percent in 2021 after decreasing 4.8 percent in 2020, according to statistics released today by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. By comparison, the broader economy, as measured by real gross domestic product, increased 5.9 percent in 2021 after decreasing 2.8 percent in 2020.

Arts and cultural economic activity accounted for 4.4 percent of U.S. GDP, or $1.02 trillion, in 2021, the Arts and Cultural Production Satellite Account shows.

Real (inflation adjusted) value added for core arts and cultural production industries, which include performing arts, museums, design services, fine arts education, and education services, increased 22.4 percent in 2021. Supporting arts and cultural production industries, which include art support services and information services, increased 11.6 percent in 2021.

  • Performing arts increased 33.9 percent in 2021 after decreasing 34.3 percent in 2020. The leading contributor to the increase was promoters of performing arts and similar events, which increased 122.4 percent in 2021 after decreasing 54.5 percent in 2020.

  • Museums increased 15.6 percent in 2021 after decreasing 5.0 percent in 2020.

  • Design services increased 18.1 percent in 2021 after decreasing 0.8 percent in 2020.

  • Fine arts education increased 27.4 percent in 2021 after decreasing 30.9 percent in 2020.

  • Education services decreased 1.7 percent in 2021 after decreasing 4.9 percent in 2020.

Visit BEA’s arts and cultural production webpage for the full report and an interactive map of the arts and culture economy in each state

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Antonio Ortiz

Antonio Ortiz has always been an autodidact with an eclectic array of interests. Fascinated with technology, advertising and culture he has forged a career that combines them all. In 1991 Antonio developed one of the very first websites to market the arts. It was text based, only available to computer scientists, and increased attendance to the Rutgers Arts Center where he had truly begun his professional career. Since then Antonio has been an early adopter and innovator merging technology and marketing with his passion for art, culture and entertainment. For a more in-depth look at those passions, visit SmarterCreativity.com.