Arts, Culture & Economic Prosperity: Greater Philadelphia is an economic and social impact study of the Greater Philadelphia region’s nonprofit arts and culture industry. More than 500 arts and culture organizations participated in the research and over 1,000 individuals completed the Americans for the Arts and Economic Prosperity (AEP) survey while attending a performance, event, exhibit or while visiting a cultural event or facility in the Greater Philadelphia Region during the period from May 2022 through June 2023.

Southeastern Pennsylvania’s cultural organizations and their audiences have a combined impact of $4.1 billion on the region’s economy.

Arts and culture is a powerhouse of economic impact in our region.

It brings investment and jobs. It is a cornerstone of our tourism industry and of the region’s growing reputation as a vibrant, diverse and creative place to live.  The cumulative impact of performing arts, historical museums, visual arts, public art and gardens, libraries  and other organizations is profound – and that impact is growing.