Arts and Economic Prosperity 6
The Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis is proud to partner 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.
AEP6 Kickoff Event
For the first time in many years, the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis (RAC) hosted a convening of arts and culture leaders on August 30 to mark the launch of AEP) in St. Louis at at The Sheldon. Watch a recording of the event below.
Local Impact
In fiscal year 2015, Americans for the Arts conducted its fifth study of the economic impact of arts and culture activity in the Greater St. Louis region and Grand Center Arts and Entertainment District. The study revealed that local arts and culture nonprofit organizations produced 19,129 full-time equivalent jobs and generated $476 million in household income all while yielding $57.6 million in local and state government revenue that year. For a full understanding of the ripple effect of a dollar spent through an arts and culture nonprofit, review the 2017 reports on the Greater St. Louis Area and Grand Center Arts and Entertainment District. There are more than 350 local arts and culture nonprofits in St. Louis. See the list.
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