Economic and Social Impact Study of New Mexico’s Arts and Culture Industry – New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs
New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, New Mexico Arts, and partners unveiled the statewide results of Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6), a comprehensive economic and social impact study of New Mexico’s nonprofit arts and culture industry.
Building on its 30-year legacy as the largest and most inclusive study of its kind, AEP6 uses a rigorous methodology to document the economic and social contributions of the nation’s nonprofit arts and culture industry. The study demonstrates locally as well as nationally, arts and culture are a critical economic driver of vibrant communities. In New Mexico, the data was collected in the cities of Santa Fe and Albuquerque through their respective Departments of Arts and Culture, and in Taos County through the Millicent Rogers Museum. New Mexico Arts, the state arts agency and a division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, managed the project at the state level and worked with local non-profit arts organizations to collect data in rural communities across the state.
Key figures from New Mexico’s AEP6 study include:
- The sector generated $740.9 million in economic activity during 2022—$267.5 million in spending by arts and culture organizations and an additional $473.4 million in event-related expenditures by their audiences.
- That economic activity supported 9,381 jobs, provided $363.2 million in personal income to residents, and generated $106.1 million in tax revenue to local, state, and federal governments.
- Overall, attendees spend $57.73 per person per event, beyond the cost of admission. These dollars represent vital income for local merchants and a value-add with which few industries can compete.
- 18.3% of attendees are nonlocal visitors who traveled from outside the State of New Mexico; they spend an average of $121.74. Additionally, 26.2% 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.
- 89.5% 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.”
- 87.0% agree that “I would feel a great sense of loss if this activity or venue were no longer available.”
- 82.0% agree that the venue or facility where they were surveyed is “an important pillar for me within my community.”
Visit NMCulture.org to read the Final Report and the Summary of Findings for the State of New Mexico, the National Report, and final reports for Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Taos County.
