A reference for makers
Creative Economy Statistics: 2023 U.S. Facts for Makers
A clear collection of the latest national figures on the scale, growth, and reach of the creative economy. Each fact below comes from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis's 2023 release, which remains its latest regular report on this series.
The bigger picture
Paper, memory, and handmade details belong to a substantial creative world.
National reporting does not isolate every paper craft or journaling practice. These figures instead show the wider U.S. arts and cultural economy that gives makers, artists, designers, museums, educators, and creative businesses a meaningful place in everyday life.
$1.17 trillion
Arts and cultural production added $1.17 trillion to the U.S. economy.
That was 4.2% of U.S. gross domestic product in 2023, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2023 data6.6%
Arts and cultural economic activity grew 6.6% after inflation.
The sector grew faster than the overall U.S. economy, which grew 2.9% in 2023.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2023 data5.4 million
Arts and cultural production supported 5.4 million U.S. jobs.
National employment connected to arts and culture rose 0.3% in 2023.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2023 data$265.8 billion
Core arts and cultural industries produced $265.8 billion in value added.
This part of the economy includes fields such as performing arts, museums, design services, fine arts education, and education services.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2023 data10.6%
Core arts and cultural production grew 10.6% in current-dollar value.
The increase brought core arts and cultural production to $265.8 billion in 2023.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2023 data47 states + D.C.
Arts and cultural value added increased across most of the country.
Nominal value added in arts and cultural production rose in 47 states and the District of Columbia in 2023.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2023 dataSource notes
What these figures measure
The figures on this page come from the Bureau of Economic Analysis Arts and Cultural Production Satellite Account release published in April 2025, reporting 2023 data. In February 2026, the Bureau said it would no longer regularly produce this series, so 2023 remains the latest available annual release as of this review. Dollar values and growth measures follow the release's definitions.
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Suggested citation: The French Heart. “Creative Economy Statistics: 2023 U.S. Facts for Makers.” Last reviewed October 14, 2026. thefrenchheart.com/creative-economy-statistics/
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