Post-pandemic study shows increase in economic impact of Indy arts

A recent study found the nonprofit arts and culture sector in Indianapolis brought in more than $520 million in direct economic impact over much of the past year, measured in organizational spending and audience spending.

The national report, led by Americans for the Arts, examined hundreds of metros.  The findings cover a time period that extends over more than a year through 2022 and 2023 and reflect the work of nearly 100 local groups.

Indy Arts Council President and CEO Julie Goodman said the findings show Indianapolis’s art scene is thriving.

“I think that's related to the breadth and depth of arts and culture organizations and the kind of breadth and depth of our creative economy in Indianapolis and in Central Indiana,” Goodman said.

The Indy Arts Council has helped facilitate the city’s annual grants program to support arts and culture for over 35 years.  This year, 85 local arts groups received funding. Goodman said the budget for arts remains steady at under $1.5 million.

“I would say that's a pretty good return on investment of $1.3 million and we're getting, we're generating, $524 million in direct economic impact,” Goodman said.

The report finds the local arts scene supported more than 7,400 jobs with $342 million in earnings. It also examines spending related to attending an arts event, such as transportation, lodging, food, and childcare.

Goodman said the last time the city took part in the study, before the pandemic, it identified $440 million in investment with 45 organizations supported.

Goodman said the local arts community remained strong and grew during the pandemic.

“Points to, I think, a huge opportunity for Indianapolis to lean into arts and culture even more as a central economic driver as a growth opportunity,” she said.

The report doesn’t account for for-profit arts and culture organizations and venues.

Contact WFYI city government and policy reporter Jill Sheridan at jsheridan@wfyi.org.