Research Reference · Updated October 13, 2026

Minnesota Arts Participation & Creative Economy Statistics

A practical, source-linked collection of current numbers for writers, educators, arts advocates, and anyone making the case for more creative life.

At A Glance

Art-making is both personal and part of Minnesota’s economy.

Minnesota artists, teachers, venues, and creative small businesses help make room for connection and expression. The figures below bring together the latest available state and national data from the National Endowment for the Arts and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Each number links back to its original source and keeps its reporting year visible, so it is easy to quote carefully.

Citable Statistics

The numbers behind creative participation.

$14.8B

added to Minnesota's economy by arts and cultural production

That was 3.1% of the state's economy in 2023.

Source, 2023: National Endowment for the Arts, Minnesota fact sheet

View original source

93,918

Minnesota workers employed by arts and cultural industries

Those workers earned $7.7 billion in wages and benefits in 2023.

Source, 2023: National Endowment for the Arts, Minnesota fact sheet

View original source

49.2%

of Minnesota adults attended live music, theater, or dance

The figure captures participation during the 2022 survey period.

Source, 2022: National Endowment for the Arts, Minnesota fact sheet

View original source

18.2%

of Minnesota adults attended an art exhibit

The figure captures participation during the 2022 survey period.

Source, 2022: National Endowment for the Arts, Minnesota fact sheet

View original source

51.8%

of U.S. adults created or performed art

The survey asked about participation at least once in the previous 12 months.

Source, 2022: National Endowment for the Arts, Survey of Public Participation in the Arts

View original source

29.1%

of U.S. adults learned an art form or subject

The measure includes classes, lessons, and other forms of arts learning.

Source, 2022: National Endowment for the Arts, Survey of Public Participation in the Arts

View original source

59.9%

of Midwest adults created or performed art

The Midwest had the highest rate among the six U.S. arts regions in the survey.

Source, 2022: National Endowment for the Arts, Survey of Public Participation in the Arts

View original source

$1.2T

added to the U.S. economy by arts and culture

Arts and culture represented 4.2% of U.S. GDP and nearly 5.4 million workers in 2023.

Source, 2023: National Endowment for the Arts and Bureau of Economic Analysis

View original source

What These Numbers Suggest

Creative participation is already part of everyday life.

More than half of U.S. adults reported making or performing art in 2022, while nearly three in ten reported learning an art form or subject. In the Midwest, the share of adults making or performing art was higher still.

For a local class, an art exhibit, or an artist-led gathering, that is useful context. Many people are not looking for a test of talent. They are looking for a place to make, learn, notice, and reconnect with a creative part of themselves.

Explore Jennifer’s current classes and events

Methodology & Sources

How to use this page.

This page reports the most recent figures available from the named sources as of October 13, 2026. Arts-participation figures reflect the National Endowment for the Arts’ 2022 Survey of Public Participation in the Arts. Economic figures reflect 2023 data from the Arts and Cultural Production Satellite Account, produced by the National Endowment for the Arts and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Cite this page

Jennifer Narr Art. “Minnesota Arts Participation & Creative Economy Statistics.” Updated October 13, 2026. https://jennifernarr.com/minnesota-arts-statistics

Make Some Room

Art does not ask for a perfect starting point.

Jennifer’s beginner-friendly creative experiences in Elk River make space for color, curiosity, and your own way of making.

See classes & events