WNC Creative Economy

Impact of the Arts in WNC

The Western North Carolina snapshot includes the 23 member counties of WNC Arts. Data from 40 core arts industries was gathered using the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) to estimate industry activity, and the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) System was used to identify 41 core arts occupations. Please note: The Creative Economy was majorly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic beginning in March 2020.

Creative Industry Earnings in Western North Carolina grew 21% from 2015-2020, but declined 6% from 2020-2021. Top earning Industries include independent Artists, Writers, & Performers; Graphic Design Services; Jewelry Stores; Arts Dealers; and Jewelry, Watch, Precious Stone, and Precious Metal Merchant Wholesalers.

Creative Industry Sales reached $782,906,368 in 2021 ($392,687,716 in-region and $390,218,652 exported). Total sales industries include Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers; Jewelry Stores; Motion Picture and Video Production; Jewelry Stores; Arts Dealers; and Jewelry, Watch, Precious Stone, and Precious Metal Merchant Wholesalers; and Musical Instrument Manufacturing. 

Creative Jobs also grew 17% from 2015-2020 to a total of 18,645, but declined 9% from 2020-2021 to 15,994. Top creative jobs include Photographers, Musicians and Singers, Writers and Authors, Graphic Designer, and Arts Dealers. 

Creative jobs in WNC were held by 82% white workers, and 18% BIPOC workers in 2021. Male workers held 51% of these jobs, while females workers made up the other 49%. The majority of creative jobs were held by workers ages 25-34 and 35-44. 

Full Report

County Snapshots

Alleghany

Caldwell

Henderson

McDowell

Watauga

Ashe

Cherokee

Iredell

Mitchell

Wilkes

Avery

Clay

Jackson

Polk

Yancey

Buncombe

Graham

Macon

Swain

Burke

Haywood

Madison

Transylvania

Additional Reports

New Report Examines the Role of Arts and Culture in Fostering Social Cohesion and Community Well-Being
The National Endowment for the Arts and the Kresge Foundation announce new report on arts and culture, social cohesion, and community well-being.
The Economic Impact of Nonprofit Arts and Cultural Organizations and Their Audiences in the Advantage West Region
This Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 study was conducted by Americans for the Arts to document the economic impact of the nonprofit arts and culture industry. The Advantage West Region is defined as Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey Counties.
Why the Arts Matter in North Carolina
The U.S.Bureau of EconomicAnalysis reports that the arts and culture sector contributes $15.3 billion to North Carolina’s economy, representing 2.9% of the state’s GDP—a larger share than some other industries in the state.
LOST ART: Measuring COVID-19’s devastating impact on America’s creative economy
Based on our creative-industry analysis, we estimate losses of 2.7 million jobs and more than $150 billion in sales of goods and services for creative industries nationwide, representing nearly a third of all jobs in those industries and 9% of annual sales.

Resources

Blue Ridge National Heritage Area
Blue Ridge National Heritage Area
The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area is the regional steward of living Appalachian traditions in North Carolina. We honor our elders and invite new generations to explore music, craft, foodways, the outdoors, and the native wisdom that all have their home in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Caroli…
WNC Nonprofit Pathways
WNC Nonprofit Pathways
Strengthening the organizations that help our Western North Carolina communities succeed.
Arts North Carolina
Arts North Carolina
ARTS North Carolina calls for equity and access to the arts for all North Carolinians, unifies and connects North Carolina’s arts communities, and fosters arts leadership. We speak for the arts wherever there is need.
NC Arts Council
North Carolina Arts Council
The North Carolina Arts Council is a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, a state agency.
Susi H. Hamilton, Secretary; Roy Cooper, Governor
NC Center for Nonprofits
North Carolina Center for Nonprofits
The North Carolina Association of Volunteer Administration (NCAVA) is pleased to offer the Basics in Volunteer Management course onli
Americans for the Arts
Americans for the Arts
Our mission is to build recognition and support for the extraordinary and dynamic value of the arts and to lead, serve, and advance the diverse networks of organizations and individuals who cultivate the arts in America.
Arts ActionFund
Our Mission: To enlist and mobilize one million citizen activists to advance the arts and arts education at the federal, state and local levels.
Members: 421,490
National Endowment for the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts is an independent federal agency that funds, promotes, and strengthens the creative capacity of our communities by providing all Americans with diverse opportunities for arts participation. Approximately 2,400 Grants. Recommended for grant awards annually.