FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 12, 2023
Contact: Shari Kosel
Arts South Dakota Program & Communications Director
shari@artssouthdakota.org
605-252-5979
Arts South Dakota, in partnership with the South Dakota Arts Council and five South Dakota communities: Aberdeen, Brookings, Rapid City, Sioux Falls and Yankton, has released a new study of South Dakota’s nonprofit arts and culture industry showing $363 million in economic activity generated in 2022. Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) is an economic and social impact study by Americans for the Arts.
This economic activity—$63.7 million in spending by nonprofit arts and culture organizations and $299.3 million in event-related spending by audiences—generated nearly $52 million in local, state and federal government revenue and supported 6,054 jobs. Spending by arts and culture audiences also includes local merchants, restaurants and lodging facilities, a value-add that few other industries can compete with.
“South Dakota has always understood the power of cultural attractions and creative enterprises to drive our economy,” said Jim Speirs, Executive Director of Arts South Dakota. “This comprehensive study quantifies the impact of our non-profit arts industry in a way that dramatically illustrates its importance to us all.”
The audience survey portion of the South Dakota analysis also shows the overwhelming appreciation and community-building aspect of arts and cultural opportunities in our state. 91% of respondents mentioned a sense of community or neighborhood pride in arts offerings, while 88% would feel a sense of loss if cultural opportunities were not available. 87% said arts attendance was a way of ensuring that creative activities and venues are preserved for future generations.
Nationally, the Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 study reveals that America’s nonprofit arts and culture sector is a $151.7 billion industry—one that supports 2.6 million jobs and generates $29.1 billion in government revenue every year.
AEP6 also expands beyond the economic and financial data to include social impact measurements of arts and culture’s effect on the well-being of communities and residents, as well as prioritizing equity, community engagement, and inclusivity.
“While an understanding of that economic impact of the sector is critical to its future growth,” Speirs said, “the true power of the arts is the social impact within our communities. In addition, arts venues and opportunities are exemplary leaders in accessibility and inclusivity. We have so much to be proud of in South Dakota’s creative community!”
To see the full AEP6 study as well as individual community data, go to artssouthdakota.org/aep6.
