AEP6

Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $453.8 million in economic activity in 2022, according to Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6), an economic and social impact study conducted by Americans for the Arts. That economic activity–$217,865,355 in spending by nonprofit arts and culture organizations and $235,934,800 in event-related spending by their audiences supported 6,815 jobs and generated $81.4 million in local, state, and federal government revenue. Spending by arts and culture audiences generates valuable commerce to local merchants, a value-add that few other industries can compete with.

Building on its 30-year legacy as the largest and most inclusive study of its kind, AEP6 uses a rigorous methodology to document the economic and social contributions of the nation’s nonprofit arts and culture industry. The study demonstrates locally as well as nationally, arts and culture are a critical economic driver of vibrant communities.

“We’ve long understood the social benefits of arts and culture, from building community and strengthening pre-K-12 education to increasing social capital and improving health and wellbeing,” said ASC President Krista Terrell. “This study not only drives home those values – it also underpins the economic argument for robust support of the arts and culture sector in Charlotte-Mecklenburg.”