Arts and Economic Prosperity 6
The Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis partnered with Americans for the Arts on the sixth national study of the economic impact of the nonprofit and arts culture industry, Arts and Economic Prosperity 6. This 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.
Local Impact
As St. Louis positions itself as a great place to work, live and play, the arts and culture sector plays a vital role. According to the AEP6, the sector contributes nearly $868 million in economic impact in St. Louis City and St. Louis County.
The arts spark economic development In St. Louis, the arts and culture sector provides some 12,000 jobs, with wages upward of $611 million, according to AEP6. Statewide, the sector contributes more to the Missouri economy than construction, transportation and agriculture.
Investing in the arts leads to higher property values. Having a cultural organization in a community has been shown to increase the nearby residential property values by up to 20%. Higher property values lead to higher property taxes, which represent a large portion of budgets for local municipalities.
According to AEP6, more than 8.1 million local and out-of-town tourists attended St. Louis theatre performances, concerts, art fairs, festivals, and more in 2022 – many of which were funded by RACSTL. Out-of-town tourists spent 71% more than their local counterparts when engaging with the local arts and culture sector.
Read the full report.
Why AEP6 Matters
Statistics can only paint a part of the picture. The meaning behind AEP6 helps show the true impact of the arts and culture sector on the St. Louis region. The list below, provided by Americans for the Arts, highlights the importance of this major study.
Nonprofit arts and culture organizations are businesses.
The arts drive commerce to local businesses.
Arts travelers are ideal tourists.
Small investments. Big returns.
Local Participants
The Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis wants to thank the arts and culture nonprofits below that have participated in the audience survey so far.
Meet the Research Team
The collection of AEP6 data is a labor-intensive task. Led by Arts & Economic Prosperity Study 6 Lead MK Stallings, the research team has worked diligently to collect the data they need for the study to be successful.
Local Participants: A-J
- A Call to Conscience
- African Heritage Association of St. Louis
- Chinese Culture Education & Services
- Contemporary Arts Museum
- Craft Alliance
- December Magazine
- Fly North Theatricals
- Gateway Festival Orchestra of St. Louis
- Grand Center Arts District, Inc.
- International Photography Hall of Fame
- Jazz St. Louis
Local Participants: K-Z
- Kranzberg Arts Foundation
- Magic House
- Missouri Botanical Garden
- Missouri Historical Society
- National Blues Museum
- Pulitzer Arts Foundation
- Sabayet, Inc.
- Saint LAAA FAB
- Saint Louis Actors Studio
- Saint Louis Story Stitchers Artists Collective
- Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
- Shakespeare Festival St. Louis
- Sheldon Arts Foundation
- Shirley Bradley LeFlore Foundation
- The Luminary
- Twangfest
- Union Ave Opera
- World Chess Hall of Fame
- Zuka Arts Guild