OnTheCusp.org

State of the Arts in Indiana

[via] The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) and the Indiana Coalition for the Arts (INCA) announced recently that the number of arts-related businesses and arts employment in Indiana both increased significantly in 2007. According to the Creative Industries report conducted by Americans for the Arts (AFTA), a total of 8,905 arts-related businesses were surveyed in Indiana last year and employed an estimated 53,924 Hoosiers.

"Creative industries are composed of arts-centric businesses ranging from nonprofit museums, symphonies and theaters to for-profit film theaters, architecture and advertising agencies," said IAC Executive Director Lewis C. Ricci. " The creative world is all around us and the artisans working in it provide the energy that powers today's information economy."

The figures represent an increase of 986 arts-related Indiana businesses from 2006 to 2007, and a growth of 4,650 full-time jobs during that same period. The report findings were announced during INCA's annual Arts Day at the Indiana State House.

"The importance of the arts to Indiana's economy cannot be overstated," said INCA President Sally Gaskill. "It's impressive that even in the current economy, 4,650 new jobs have been created in the arts sector. This is a clear message to the state legislature that arts and culture contribute to the economy throughout Indiana."

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