Impact of Our Work
The Iowa Arts Council strategically invests resources from the Iowa Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts to enhance the lives and well-being of Iowans and strengthen Iowa communities, organizations and local economies through the arts.
Learn more about the impact of our work and our partners:
Impact of the Arts in Iowa
As home to one of the 40 most arts-vibrant cities (Des Moines) and one of the top 10 small creative cities (Iowa City) in the U.S. — along with art-filled main streets, dynamic college towns, and rural arts attractions — Iowa abounds with art and creativity.
More than 48,000 Iowans work in the creative sector — from designers, filmmakers, and culinary professionals to creative writers, visual artists, musicians, filmmakers and performers. Artists and creatives are embedded into the fabric of every Iowa community and are at work every day preserving our heritage, documenting our stories, and imagining our future.
Learn more about the creative sector in Iowa.
Impact of the Nonprofit Arts and Culture Industry in Iowa
The results of the sixth national Arts and Economic Prosperity study (AEP6), conducted by Americans for the Arts, were released in October 2023.
Nearly 6,000 Iowans and 565 non-profit organizations, representing 10 Iowa communities and regions, participated in AEP6.
All findings were for the period of May 2022 to June 2023.
Impact of Arts and Culture
The impact of arts and culture extends far beyond personal enjoyment and participation. Arts and culture have broad impacts across many different areas, from education and health to community and economic development.
Arts & Culture Can Create...
- Good Jobs & Strong Local Economies: Arts and cultural production is a $5 billion industry that supports nearly 48,000 full-time jobs in Iowa. Arts and culture wages amount to $2.4 billion annually and have a demonstrated ripple effect in local economies.
- More Livable Communities: Arts and culture are part of creating “communities of choice” where people want to live and work. They bring beauty and joy to residents, celebrate and preserve diverse cultural expressions and traditions, strengthen civic pride and engagement, and increase a sense of social connection and belonging.
- A Culture of Innovation: Arts and culture power the creative communities where entrepreneurs and innovation thrive and where students have access to artistic and cultural experiences that build an innovative mindset.
- More Academically Engaged Students: Access to the arts in K-12 schools has been shown to improve attendance, increase student engagement, and support student achievement. Low-income students who are highly engaged in the arts are more than twice as likely to graduate college than their peers with no arts education.
- A Strong Tourism Economy: Arts and culture provide authentic experiences and create local attractions that draw cultural tourists, who spend more and stay longer, boosting local businesses from hotels to restaurants to retail.
- Improved Health and Well-being: Arts and culture can support patients battling an illness or injury and can be a motivating factor in recovery, including for individuals with substance abuse disorders and addiction. The creation and enjoyment of the arts helps promote well-being; arts participation has been linked to improved mental health and other positive health outcomes. Including the arts in health care delivery has been shown to support positive clinical outcomes for patients, while supporting health care providers and the wider community.
Learn more about the impact of arts and culture with Americans for the Arts’ Arts Impact Explorer tool.
