Creative sector’s contributions to Pa. economy increasing

Pennsylvania’s creative sector added more than $28.6 billion to the state’s economy in 2021, according to new data released Wednesday by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). 

The contributions from Pennsylvania’s creative sector represented an increase of 8.5% from 2020. BEA data revealed that more than 165,000 FTE positions were added and $14 billion provided in compensation. 

Pennsylvania ranks seventh nationally for creative sector employment and eighth in the U.S. for creative sector gross domestic product (GDP), according to the data. 

“The BEA numbers tell the story of how both nonprofit and for-profit creative enterprises shape Pennsylvania communities for tomorrow – contributing to their vitality as they work to become and remain competitive, attractive, and meaningful places for residents, visitors, and investment,” Karl Blischke, executive director of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA), said in a statement. 

Arts and culture account for more than $1 trillion in value added to the national economy, 4.4% U.S. GDP, and 4.9 million jobs. The economic value of arts and cultural production from 35 industries, including commercial and nonprofit entities, is tracked annually by the BEA’s Arts and Cultural Production Satellite Account (ACPSA). 

The 2021 data highlights the sector’s state and national contributions to the U.S. economy following the first year of the pandemic. The data reveals that some industries have yet to rebound to pre-pandemic, 2019 numbers. 

Through its investments in arts and cultural production, arts and education, accessibility, capacity building, placemaking, and the growth and sustainability of small businesses and entrepreneurs, the PCA reaches each of the 67 counties in the state.