Press Release: AAP Welcomes New US Government Report Noting Positive Impact of Arts and Culture on US Economy
Washington, DC - Today, the US Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) in the Department of Commerce and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) released Preliminary Report on the Impact of Arts and Culture on the US Economy, its first study analyzing the arts and cultural sectors' contributions to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employment. The US book industry - including publishers, booksellers and the network of creative and technological professionals working in publishing - was among the sectors examined along with film, television, radio, newspapers and periodicals, performing arts, design and advertising.
The study parallels findings of the biennial International Intellectual Property Alliance study released last month. That report, focusing solely on the country's core copyright industries and using 2012 data, found that these sectors added $1.7 trillion to the US economy and employ nearly 5.4 million US workers, nearly 5% of the total private employment sector.
"As these two new reports demonstrate, the copyright industries are essential to the continuing development of US arts and culture while being invaluable engines of growth for our economy and job market," said Tom Allen, President and CEO, Association of American Publishers. "We welcome this report and its endorsement of the value of creative work in the US and worldwide."
Allen noted that the BEA/NEA report recognizes staff employees, small businesses, supply chains and independent arts and culture content creators in for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. "People tend to forget the scope and diversity of the ecosystem required to translate ideas into creative content for public appreciation. One of publishers' many roles is to drive and support a vast network of small businesses, start-ups and individuals in the production and distribution of creative works. The work of this community needs to be respected and protected."