BISMARCK – New data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) shows that North Dakota’s arts and cultural sector is a powerful economic driver, contributing $1.76 billion to the state’s economy in 2023, according to the North Dakota Council on the Arts.

Arts and cultural industries also supported 14,852 jobs and provided nearly $903 million in compensation.

The new figures, released as part of the 2023 Arts and Cultural Production Satellite Account (ACPSA), show North Dakota’s Gross Domestic Product growth was at 3% while the state’s Arts and Culture Value Added increased by over 10% from 2022 to 2023. The sector ranked seventh among North Dakota’s top value-added industries, surpassing education services and coming in just behind utilities.

“These new numbers reinforce what we’ve long known: arts and culture are vital to North Dakota’s economy,” said Jessica Christy, executive director of North Dakota Council on the Arts. “Not only do the arts enhance the quality of life for North Dakotans, but they also create jobs, generate revenue and contribute to the economic well-being of communities across our state.”

The Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 study, conducted in 2022, provides additional data for North Dakota, showing attendees spend $32.50 per person per event, beyond the cost of admission. It also reported 90.9% 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.”