Nearly every state arts agency conducts research to gauge the size, scope and impact of its creative economy. However, there is a wide variety of approaches to this research, using different methodologies to examine the relationship between state investment in the arts and economic growth. Beyond state arts agencies, the National Endowment for the Arts and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis also produce data on trends in arts and cultural employment. Our State Arts Agency and Creative Economy Research: Frequently Asked Questions attempts to answer common questions about the creative economy and provides greater context for the data below.

Although not included in the scope of this database, states are also measuring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on creative workers, employment and the sector as a whole. For more information about recent COVID-19 impact studies and to see examples, please contact NASAA Research Associate Declan Wicks.