Advocacy & Research

Advocacy

Why Arts Matter to S.C.

For almost 60 years, South Carolina has made a public investment in the arts through the South Carolina Arts Commission.

Among other things, the results so far include:

  • $132.6 million in grants going back into our communities since 1967;
  • 35-plus years of the Arts in Basic Curriculum (ABC) Institute in our state, a partnership that provides leadership to achieve quality, comprehensive arts education for all students each year;
  • targeted grants and programs that help artists become entrepreneurs and fuel a $14.1 billion impact on the state’s economy;
  • access to SCAC grants, programs, and services in all 46 counties,
  • and a large and growing network of local arts providers statewide.

Our staff serves South Carolina’s needs in these focus areas:

More arts advocacy from the S.C. Arts Alliance

Research

The Economic Impact of South Carolina’s Arts-Related Economic Cluster

Research Economist Dr. Joseph C. Von Nessen from the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina compiled a new report released in February 2023.

Dr. Von Nessen analyzed data from the U.S. census and economic analysis bureaus and commerce department and discovered significant gains from the previous study released in 2018. Here are the critical takeaways:

123,550 jobs paying $5.7 billion

The total number of local jobs supported by the arts-related cluster. This level of employment represents 5.5% of the total employment base in South Carolina and also generates $5.7 billion in wages and salaries.

  • A 7.5% increase from the 2018 study.

$360.2 million

The annual total estimated tax revenue generated for the state of South Carolina that arises from the arts-related cluster each year.

  • A 33% increase from the 2018 study.

$14.1 billion

The total economic impact of the South Carolina arts-related cluster, which represents both the direct and indirect demand generated by the local spending activity of all arts-related businesses, their suppliers, and their employees.

  • A 45% increase from the 2018 study.

The analysis reviewed 2021 data from the portions of the state economy associated with the arts, design, crafts and related activities.

The arts sector's contribution to S.C. economy tops $14 billion