Reference page
U.S. Arts and Culture Statistics
A concise collection of citeable figures on the arts economy and how Americans take part in the arts.
Last updated October 7, 2026. Each statistic names its source and data year.
$1.17 trillion
U.S. arts and cultural economic activity in 2023
Arts and culture accounted for 4.2% of U.S. gross domestic product in 2023.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2023 data, released April 2, 2025
6.6%
Inflation-adjusted growth in arts and cultural activity in 2023
The overall U.S. economy grew 2.9% in the same year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2023 data, released April 2, 2025
48%
U.S. adults who attended at least one arts event in person in 2022
This includes the arts events measured in the National Endowment for the Arts survey.
Source: National Endowment for the Arts, 2022 survey data, released October 18, 2023
43%
U.S. adults who went to the movies in 2022
Moviegoing was the most commonly reported in-person arts activity in the survey.
Source: National Endowment for the Arts, 2022 survey data, published March 2024
21%
U.S. adults who attended other music, dance, or theater events in 2022
The survey’s category includes events such as rock, pop, rap, folk, country, comedy, circus, or magic.
Source: National Endowment for the Arts, 2022 survey data, released October 18, 2023
55%
U.S. adults who had taken arts classes or lessons at some point in life
The 2022 survey found 48% had done so in a school setting.
Source: National Endowment for the Arts, 2022 survey data, published September 2024
10%
U.S. adults who contributed money, goods, or services to arts groups
The national figure is based on 2022 survey responses and varies by state.
Source: National Endowment for the Arts, 2022 survey data, published September 2024
Methodology and sources
Economic figures use the latest U.S. Arts and Cultural Production Satellite Account data available from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, for 2023. Participation figures use the National Endowment for the Arts’ 2022 Survey of Public Participation in the Arts, the latest nationwide survey cited in these reports.
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Arts and Culture, 2023 data
- National Endowment for the Arts, 2022 arts participation release
- National Endowment for the Arts, Measuring the Arts: Who Attends Arts Events in Person?
- National Endowment for the Arts, 50 States of Arts Participation: 2022
How to cite this page
Painting by Heart. “U.S. Arts and Culture Statistics.” Updated October 7, 2026. https://paintingbyheart.net/art-and-culture-statistics.
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