- Sector Scan
The Arts and Community Livability in Washington State: A Data-Driven Study
- Posted Mar 06, 2025
2-minute read
This research is commissioned by ArtsFund and conducted by SMU DataArts.
How do the arts contribute to vibrant, healthy communities? ArtsFund’s latest Livability Impact Study of the Arts explores the significant role that arts and culture play in fostering civic engagement, economic opportunity, and social cohesion across Washington State. The research, conducted in partnership with SMU DataArts, reveals that communities with robust cultural resources—such as nonprofit arts organizations and state arts funding—experience measurable benefits in livability and well-being.
This study builds on ArtsFund’s long-standing research into the social and economic impact of the arts, offering data-driven insights into how cultural investment strengthens communities of all sizes—urban and rural alike.
Key Findings
Communities with greater access to arts organizations have:
- 33% more volunteers supporting nonprofit organizations
- 7% more active voters who are registered and eligible for voting
- 3% lower levels of income inequality
- Over eight times more community gathering spaces, with an average of 16 nonprofit gathering spaces per 10,000 residents, compared to fewer than two in low-density areas
Communities with the highest per capita state arts funding through ArtsWA grantmaking have:
- an average of $22.36 in hotel/motel tax revenue per capita, compared to just $0.03
- 2% more active voters who are registered and eligible for voting
- 1% fewer seniors living alone
Rural communities experience even greater benefits from arts investment. Increased state arts funding correlates with higher local tourism revenue and greater economic stability in rural areas.
Despite a thriving arts sector, Washington lags in state arts funding. With just $0.98 per capita in arts funding—far below the national average of $2.29 per capita—there is a critical need for increased investment to support the state’s cultural infrastructure.
For in-depth analysis, case studies, and actionable recommendations, explore the full Livability Impact Study of the Arts on ArtsFund’s website.
It's free!
ABOUT ARTSFUND
ArtsFund supports the arts through leadership, advocacy, and grantmaking in order to build a healthy, equitable, and creative Washington. ArtsFund was originally founded to bring corporate and civic leaders together to help establish and sustain our region’s arts and cultural institutions. Over its grantmaking history, ArtsFund has granted approximately $130M to over 1,000 organizations in 38 out of 39 Washington State counties. Through ArtsFund’s advocacy work, including its longstanding arts impact research reports, which provide essential research on the value of the arts; and its leadership programs, like Board Leadership Training, which grow skills and build capacity among arts and cultural organizations, ArtsFund supports the health and wellbeing of our communities. Learn more at www.artsfund.org.