Consumer Spending on the Arts Tops $12 Billion
The Bureau of Economic Analysis reports that consumers spent $12.1 billion ($42 per person) on admissions to performing arts events in 2002. This amount was $2.5 billion more than spending on tickets to movie theaters, but $1.5 billion less than outlays on admissions to sporting events.
The $12.1 billion consumers spent on admissions to the performing arts in 2002 translated into $42 per person. This amount was more than the $33.30 spent on movie tickets but less than the per capita $47.20 for sporting events. Between 1992 aand 2002, and adjusted for inflation, percapita spending on performing arts admissions grew by 7.50 or 24 percent. This growth exceeded the 19 percent gain for movie theatre tickets, but was sell below the 44 percent growth in real capita outlays for tickets to sporting events.
Americans for the Arts reports that the average audience arts attendee in 2002 spent $22.87 per person, not including the price of admission. This includes:
- $10.33 on meals and refreshments;
- $2.55 on lodging;
- $2.63 on transportation; AND
- $3.51 on souvenirs.
“What’s good for the arts is good for the economy. The mayors of cities with strong economies tell us that the arts have helped their communities thrive. Federal support for our nation’s cultural organizations is sound public policy.”
Representative Louis M. Slaughter, United States House of Representatives, Chair Congressional Arts Caucus 2002
Our communities benefit from the presence of both the arts and sports. According to the U.S. Dept. of Commerce Bureau of Economic Analysis, American consumers spent more than $10 billion dollars on admissions to performing arts events in 1997. Moreover, 1997 spending on performing arts events was roughly 1.6 times larger than spending on either admissions to movies or spectator sports. (Refer to the NEA’s GDP and the Arts, Reserach Note #69, 1998).
American consumers have increased their spending on performing arts events by almost $2 billion, or 26%, since 1992. By contrast, admission receipts for movies and spectator sports have showed little change in the same period. Per capita spending on performing arts amounts to approximately $39 compared with $24 per person on movie admissions and $23 for spectator sports.
Another survey by the U.S. Census Bureau indicated that while 50% of U.S. adults had attended alive arts event in 1997, only 41% had attended a live sporting event.