Arts & Economic Prosperity 6

The Economic Impact of Nonprofit Arts and Cultural Organizations and Their Audiences in Tennessee

Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) is an economic and social impact study of the nation’s nonprofit arts and culture industry.  In the State of Tennessee, the nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $1.4 billion in economic activity during 2022.

  • Supporting 23,465 full-time equivalent jobs
  • Generating $345.6 million in tax revenue to local, state, and federal governments

  • $617.4 million in spending by arts and culture organizations
  • $746.2 million in event-related expenditures by their audiences
  • $54 million in value of volunteer hours
  • Providing $1.1 billion in personal income to residents

Arts and culture drives commerce to local businesses. Overall, in the State of Tennessee, attendees spend $35.18 per person per event, beyond the cost of admission.

Arts and culture strengthens the visitor economy. In the State of Tennessee, 9.2% of attendees were non-local visitors who traveled from outside the host county; they spend an average of $78.44. Additionally, 63.1% of nonlocal attendees reported that the primary purpose of their visit was specifically to attend the performance, event, exhibit, venue, or facility where they were surveyed.

A vibrant arts and culture community keeps local residents—and their discretionary dollars—in the community. 51.4% of attendees who live in the State of Tennessee said they would have “traveled to a different community to attend a similar arts or cultural activity.”

Arts and culture organizations contribute to community pride in the State of Tennessee.

  • 89.4% of arts and culture attendees agree that the activity or venue where they were surveyed “is inspiring a sense of pride in this neighborhood or community.”
  • 85.4% agree that “I would feel a great sense of loss if this activity or venue were no longer available.”
  • 81.6% agree that the venue or facility where they were surveyed is “an important pillar for me within my community.”

21 local partners gathered data for city, county, regional and statewide reports

 

TN Development Districts
Regional studies conducted by development district

Your contribution to the arts in TN is valuable, let's prove it

 

The AEP5 study from 2017 can be referenced here:
https://tnartscommission.org/about-us/aep5/