For Immediate Release
Thursday, April 3, 2025
Arts & Culture Fuel North Dakota’s Economy,
Adding $1.8 Billion and 15,000 Jobs
Bismarck, ND–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 $1.765 billion to the state’s economy in 2023. Representing 2.32% of the state’s total GDP, 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 GDP growth was at 3% while the state’s Arts and Culture Value Added increased by over 10% from 2022 to 2023. The sector ranked 7th among North Dakota’s top value-added industries, surpassing education services and coming in just behind utilities. This ranking highlights the arts as a significant economic force, on par with major industries like mining, agriculture, and transportation.
Although North Dakota ranked 48th among all states in ACPSA compensation, it was 27th in compensation growth, adding nearly 1,900 new jobs in the sector in 2023. Since 2022, ACPSA compensation has grown 4 percent in North Dakota, compared with an increase of 3.6 percent for the United States. This aligns with national trends showing that the arts economy outpaced overall economic growth.
On a national scale, arts and cultural industries contributed $1.2 trillion to the U.S. economy in 2023, accounting for 4.2% of GDP. The sector grew at more than twice the rate of the total economy, with the U.S. maintaining a trade surplus of nearly $37 billion in arts-related exports.
"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 (NDCA). "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 (AEP6) study, conducted in 2022, further underscores the financial strength of North Dakota’s nonprofit arts sector, with additional data showing that arts and culture drive local economies while fostering social and educational benefits. For example, a couple of the key findings from the North Dakota study include: attendees spend $32.50 per person per event, beyond the cost of admission; and 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.”
Key figures from North Dakota's ACPSA study
- North Dakota’s arts and cultural sector contributed $1.765 billion to the state’s economy in 2023, representing 2.32% of the state’s total GDP.
- While North Dakota's GDP growth was at 3%, the state’s Arts and Culture Value Added increased by 10.03%.
- North Dakota’s arts and culture sector ranked 7th among North Dakota’s top value-added industries, surpassing education services and coming in just behind utilities. FYI - The top 5 sectors (highest to lowest): mining, agriculture/forestry, retail, construction, and transportation.
- ND’s arts and cultural industries supported 14,852 jobs and provided nearly $903 million in compensation.
- North Dakota’s arts and culture sector added nearly 1,900 new jobs in 2023.
- Since 2022, ACPSA compensation has grown 4 percent in North Dakota, compared with an increase of 3.6 percent for the United States.
To see a one-page summary, download North Dakota's Creative Economy State Profile. To explore the full findings of the BEA report, read the national NEA press release: Arts and Cultural Industries Grew at Twice the Rate of the U.S. Economy, Adding $1.2 Trillion.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Rhea Beto
rbeto@nd.gov
701-328-7594
North Dakota's Arts & Cultural Production (2023)
National 2023 ACPSA Study Press Release
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North Dakota Council on the Arts is the state agency responsible for the support, development, and preservation of the arts throughout North Dakota and is funded by the state legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts..
The Arts and Cultural Production Satellite Account (ACPSA) was compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.