Economic Development
Creative Economy State Profiles from NASAA
In 2022, Montana's artists and arts organizations added $2,238,444,000 in value to Montana, along with 16,540 jobs. These numbers are supplied by The Arts and Cultural Production Satellite Account (ACPSA), which was developed through a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA).
This interactive dashboard allows you to explore Montana's ACPSA data through figures, including value added to our economy through arts and cultural production, as well as employment and compensation figures for the creative workforce. Navigate the charts to compare trends and current data to compare Montana's arts economy with other industries, as well as how Montana compares to similar states.
NASAA's Nationwide Data on America's Creative Economy
Explore how the arts contribute to the US gross domestic product, to the tune of $1.102 trillion.
Archive: Older Studies and Projects
Important Research Available on Economic Impacts of Artists
Researcher and evaluator Surale Phillips completed an in-depth study on economic impacts of artists participating in MAC’s Montana Artrepreneur Program during the years 2009-2014. Executive Summary | Detailed Report
US Chamber of Commerce's "Enterprising States: Creating Jobs, Economic Development and Prosperity in Challenging Times"
Ranks Montana first in the nation in entrepreneurship and innovation. See page 12, where it states: "While Montana's energy and mining clusters added a combined 8,400 high-paying jobs to the state since 2002, Montana's greatest source of national dominance came from the collection of arts, entertainment, recreation and visitor industries, perhaps a sign that the rest of the nation is beginning to discover the Big Sky Country."
Economic Impacts of Artists' Sales and Impact on Household Income 2009-2016
Researcher and evaluator Surale Phillips completed an in-depth study on economic impacts of artists participating in MAC’s Montana Artrepreneur Program during the years 2009-2016. Executive Summary | Detailed Report | All Artists Stories | Previous Versions: Executive Summary (2009-2014) | Detailed Report (2009-2014)
Montana: The Land of Creativity video
"The Power and Potential of Arts-Driven Economic Development in Montana"
An 11-minute video for use in the education of board members, community leaders and others (add comma here) who may not be familiar with the significant economic impact that Montana artists and arts organizations have on our state’s economy.
Montana Department of Labor Study of Individual Artists 2012
A study using as a basis National Endowment for the Arts Individual Artist Employment data from the 2010 US Census.
The Economic Impact of Montana Artists
A 2005 report detailing the economic impact of artists in Montana. The artists of Montana have a substantial economic impact on the state of over $233 million in 2003. There are over 5,800 artists — performing and visual artists, writers, photographers, crafts people, etc.. — in Montana, per the 2000 US Census, equaling one out of every 80 people in Montana's labor market. There are almost as many artists making their living in Montana as there are employed by the forest services, and there are more people employed as artists than in the mining industry.
Clusters of Creativity: Innovation and Growth in Montana
This is a 2003 report to the Montana Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity prepared by Stuart Rosenfeld of Regional Technology Strategies, Inc. RTS analyzed these value-added industry clusters in the state: Creative Enterprise; Experience Enterprise; Tourism; Wood-based Industries; Food Processing; Information Technology and Life Sciences. These clusters were selected because of their importance to Montana’s overall economy. To read the full report, please click here:
The Role of Non-profit Arts Organizations in Montana's Economy
Sponsored by the Montana Arts Council and conducted by the Bozeman research firm ArtsMarket, Inc., this 2002 study surveyed Montana nonprofit arts organizations to assess how arts and cultural programs contribute to the state economy.
NEA 50th Anniversary Video on Montana
