
2022-2023 Arts & Economic Prosperity Study Overview
From May 2022 - April 2023, the City of Tacoma's Office of Arts & Cultural Vitality is participating in a national study called Arts & Economic Prosperity 6. The study is conducted approximately every five years to gauge the economic impact (on employment, government revenue, and household income) of spending by nonprofit arts and culture organizations and the event-related spending by their audiences. Find out more about the current study here.
Tacoma participated in the same study in 2006, 2011, and 2016. Find out more and read the results of those previous studies below.
2016 Arts & Economic Prosperity Study Overview 
In 2016, the City of Tacoma's Office of Arts & Cultural Vitality participated in a national study called Arts & Economic Prosperity 5. The study documented the economic impact that nonprofit arts and culture organizations, and their audiences, have on the economy, both locally and nationally.
About the Study
This study was conducted by Americans for the Arts to document the economic impact of the nonprofit arts and culture industry in 341 communities and regions (113 cities, 115 counties, 81 multicity or multicounty regions, 10 states, and 12 individual arts districts)—representing all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. The diverse communities range in population (1,500 to more than 4 million) and type (small rural to large urban). Project economists from the Georgia Institute of Technology customized an input-output analysis model for each participating region to provide specific and localized data on four measures of economic impact: full-time equivalent jobs, household income, and local and state government revenue. These localized models allow for the uniqueness of each local economy to be reflected in the findings.
Americans for the Arts partnered with 250 local, regional, and statewide organizations that represent the 341 study regions (30 partners included multiple study regions as part of their participation). Data was gathered from 14,439 organizations and 212,691 audience spending surveys and project economist customized input-output models for each and every study region to ensure reliable and actionable localized results.
To complete this customized analysis for the City of Tacoma, the City of Tacoma’s Office of Arts & Cultural Vitality joined the study as one of the 250 partners. In the City of Tacoma, 66 of the 118 eligible nonprofit arts and cultural organizations participated in this study. In addition, a total of 1,124 valid audience-intercept surveys were collected from attendees to nonprofit arts and cultural performances, events, and exhibitions during 2016.
National Study Results
America's nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $166.3 billion in economic activity every year - $63.8 billion in spending by organizations and an additional $102.5 billion in event-related spending by audiences (not including cost of event admission). The national impact of this activity is significant, supporting 4.6 million jobs and generating $27.5 billion in government revenue.
Economic Impact of the Nonprofit Arts and Culture Industry Nationwide
(expenditures by both organizations and audiences)
Full-Time Equivalent Jobs
|
4.6 million
|
Resident Household Income
|
$96.07 billion
|
Government Revenue
|
$27.5 billion
|
Tacoma Study Results
The nonprofit arts and culture sector is a significant industry in the City of Tacoma—one that generates $137.2 million in total economic activity. This spending—$74.6 million by nonprofit arts and cultural organizations and an additional $62.6 million in event-related spending by their audiences (not including cost of event admission)—supports 3,656 full-time equivalent jobs, generates $86 million in household income to local residents, and delivers $14 million in local and state government revenue. This economic impact study sends a strong signal that when we support the arts, we not only enhance our quality of life, but we also invest in the City of Tacoma’s economic well-being.
Economic Impact of the Nonprofit Arts and Culture Industry in Tacoma
(expenditures by both organizations and audiences)
Full-Time Equivalent Jobs Supported |
3,656 |
Resident Household Income |
$86.04 million |
Local Government Revenue |
$5.98 million |
State Government Revenue |
$7.98 million |
This study also tracked the event-related spending by audience members. Of the 2,703,154 nonprofit arts and culture audience members in 2015 (this number was reported by the 66 organizations who participated in the study), 72.6% reside within Pierce County and 27.4% reside outside Pierce County. Furthermore, audience surveys reveal that non-local attendees spend an average of 53% more than their local counterparts.
Event-Related Arts and Culture Audience Spending in Tacoma by Residents of Pierce County
(expenditures do not include cost of event admission)
Percent of Total Attendees |
72.6% |
Per Person Spending Average |
$20.23 |
Total Spending |
$39,701,173 |
Event-Related Arts and Culture Audience Spending in Tacoma by Non-Residents of Pierce County
(expenditures do not include cost of event admission)
Percent of Total Attendees |
27.4% |
Per Person Spending Average |
$30.87 |
Total Spending |
$22,864,298 |
Frequently Asked Questions

2011 AEP IV Study
In 2011, the City of Tacoma's Arts Commission participated in Arts & Economic Prosperity IV study. The results of this study were released in June 2012.
National Study Results
Tacoma Study Results

2006 AEP III Study
In 2006, the City of Tacoma's Arts Commission participated in Arts & Economic Prosperity III study. The results of this study were released in June 2007.
National Study Results
Tacoma Study Results