Resources
Economic Development
Montana: The Land of Creativity
The Power and Potential of Arts-Driven Economic Development in Montana
An 11-minute video meant to help educate board members, community leaders and others who may not be familiar with the significant economic impact that Montana artists and arts organizations have on our state’s economy. Click here for more information and to watch the video.
THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF MONTANA ARTISTS
The artists of Montana have a substantial economic impact on the state of over $233 million in 2003. There are over 5,800 artists — performing and visual artists, writers, photographers, crafts people, etc.. — in Montana, per the 2000 US Census, equalling one out of every 80 people in Montana's labor market. There are almost as many artists making their living in Montana as there are employed by the forest services, and there are more people employed as artists than in the mining industry.
THE ROLE OF NON-PROFIT ARTS
ORGANIZATIONS IN MONTANA’S ECONOMY
This study surveyed Montana nonprofit arts organizations to assess how arts and cultural programs contribute to the state economy. Financial data collected on 137 Montana nonprofit arts institutions was used to calculate impacts. This data was provided by the Internal Revenue Service and supported by surveys conducted in the fall of 2002 by ArtsMarket, Inc. For the Executive Summary please click here.
CLUSTERS OF CREATIVITY: Innovation and Growth in Montana
This is a 2003 report to the Montana Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity prepared by Stuart Rosenfeld of Regional Technology Strategies, Inc. RTS analyzed these value-added industry clusters in the state: Creative Enterprise; Experience Enterprise; Tourism; Wood-based Industries; Food Processing; Information Technology and Life Sciences. These clusters were selected because of their importance to Montana’s overall economy. To read the full report, please click here: http://www.rtsinc.org/publications/pdf/mt_creative.pdf
