Maryland Citizens for the Arts

Did you know that the arts industy contributed over $700 million to the state's economy. From 1995 to 1999, the economic contribution of the arts has increased substantially. Figures for the Southern MD, Eastern shore and Western MD counties have doubled.

In June 2000, the Maryland State Arts Council along with the Department of Business and Economic Development released an updated study of the state’s non-profit arts industry*, representing its activities for fiscal year 1999. According to this update, Maryland's non-profit arts community is contributing more to the economy than before- far more than they receive in public funding. This growth demonstrates that the arts are a sound public investment, vital to economic growth in Maryland. For an executive summary of this information, go to http://www.msac.org/ecoimp00.htm.

Total contribution to state economy	$634 m	$726 m
Direct spending by arts industry	$290 m	$341 m
Amount spent on goods/services by audiences	$220 m	$230 m
Amount spent on goods/services by art organizations	$70 m	$111 m
State/local taxes generated by arts industry	$21 m	$27 m
Number of people at art events	9.6 m	10.6 m

Central Maryland	$408.6 m	$454.1 m
Greater Washington	$177.4 m	$190.2 m
Lower Eastern Shore	$21.6 m	$40.9 m
Southern Maryland	$3.1 m	$6.5 m
Upper Shore	$8 m	$5.7 m
Western Maryland	$15.5 m	$28 m