The Role of the Arts in Economic Revitalization

November 2022

Arts and culture-related industries provide direct economic benefits to states and communities: they create jobs, attract investments, generate tax revenues, and stimulate local economies through tourism and consumer purchases. At the request of an ABA theatre member, we explored examples of arts organizations around the United States and Europe who have undergone hall renovations in conjunction with larger city plans to revitalize downtown areas — in particular, exploring the economic impact to the arts organization and to the greater metropolitan area.

Our report outlines the following:

• Overall data points on the economic value of the non-profit arts industry to the United States.

• Case studies of arts organizations that renovated their buildings as part of greater downtown plans with city officials to bring jobs back, boost the local economy, and more.

• Additional findings of successful renovation projects that significantly benefited the arts organization economically.

Click below to download the report.