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Livability Impact Study of the Arts

Relationships between the arts and healthy communities

Arts and culture play an important role in the health and well-being of communities across the State of Washington. The Livability Impact Study of the Arts (LIS) seeks to answer the question: Does the presence of arts and culture improve community livability, enhancing the lives of Washingtonians?

Livability is the quality of life in a neighborhood or area shaped by factors like safety, wellbeing and health, accessibility, and opportunities for connection and personal growth.

Our research demonstrates significant correlations between an accessible and well-funded arts and culture landscape and a vibrant community overall. We found that people living in Washington communities with many cultural resources are MORE CONNECTED, MORE INVOLVED in helping their communities, and have MORE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES. We also found that positive economic connections to arts resources, like funding, have even STRONGER OUTCOMES IN RURAL COMMUNITIES. The positive relationship holds in all the findings, even when controlling for community characteristics like income level, education level, and urban/rural geography. The LIS shows that building and maintaining a healthy arts and culture sector is a tool that can be used to create a better quality of life with statistically significant outcomes for all Washingtonians.

To learn more about these findings and to see how your community is impacted, use the menu to explore the report.

Findings:

Access
Resources
Rural
WA Overall

Jump to a section:

Interactive Map
Case Studies
Takeaways
Recommendations
Sponsors
Advisory Committee

Downloads:

Report PDF
Executive Summary, Takeaways, and Recommendations
Appendix PDF
Presentation Deck
One-pager

Findings: Access

Counties with the highest density of arts and culture nonprofit organizations also have more positive community health outcomes, including more volunteerism, active voters, and community gathering spaces as well as lower levels of income inequality.

Volunteerism

Communities with the greatest access to arts and culture organizations have 33% more volunteers supporting nonprofit organizations and their missions.

Volunteerism is a critical component of connected communities, reflecting the willingness of residents to contribute their time and effort to support the benefit of the community as a whole. With more arts and cultural organizations, there are more opportunities to volunteer, but there are also more opportunities to meet and connect at arts spaces, helping people feel connection to their community and seeking opportunities to give back.

Active Voters

Counties with increased access to arts and cultural organizations have 7% higher rates of active voter participation.

Voting is a critical dimension of civic participation in a functioning democracy. Individuals who feel connected to others are more likely to engage in civic activities and to contribute to the common good. Nonprofit arts organizations serve as hubs for connection, which may explain their positive influence on voting.

Income Inequality

Communities with a high concentration of arts and culture nonprofits per capita have 3% lower levels of income inequality among residents.

Regions with higher levels of income inequality may experience more pronounced disparities in health outcomes, educational attainment, and community cohesion. Arts organizations may help reduce income inequality by providing accessible arts programming and job opportunities to underserved communities. Additionally, community-based arts initiatives can stimulate local economies, empower marginalized groups, and foster social cohesion, contributing to more equitable economic opportunities.

Gathering Spaces

There are over eight times more community gathering spaces available to residents in counties with the highest levels of nonprofit arts organizations per capita (16 gathering spaces) compared to the lowest (fewer than two).

The density of arts organizations in a community is positively connected with the prevalence of non-arts gathering spaces in that community. For every three nonprofit arts organizations in a community, there is one associated non-arts nonprofit gathering space available to residents. This suggests that arts organizations are an important part of the physical and social infrastructure of communities that can help support additional spaces for connection and community engagement.

Findings: Resources

Counties with more state funding supporting arts and culture see stronger economic and social outcomes.

Hotel/Motel Tax Revenue

There is over $22 of additional tax revenue collected per capita in counties with the highest levels of state arts support compared to those with the lowest levels.

Counties with the highest levels of state arts funding generate an average $22.36 per capita in hotel/motel tax revenue, compared to $..03 in the least-funded communities. Hotel and motel tax revenues serve as a key indicator of tourism and cultural engagement. These cultural activities not only draw visitors from outside the region but also encourage longer stays, boosting direct spending.

Active Voters

Counties with more state funding to arts and culture nonprofits also have 2% higher levels of active voter engagement.

Individuals who feel connected to others are more likely to engage in civic activities and to contribute to the common good. The rate of active voters is the only community metric where we saw positive outcomes from both state arts funding levels and the density of arts and culture organizations

Seniors Living Alone

In communities where arts and culture receive high levels of support, fewer seniors live alone, lessening adverse impacts of isolation.

Research consistently shows that strong social ties can reduce stress, boost immune function, and even increase life expectancy. Studies have shown that community-based programs that foster social engagement, such as group art classes, theater performances, and participatory music activities, not only enhance emotional well-being and reduce feelings of loneliness, but also encourage seniors to develop meaningful social connections, thereby improving their overall quality of life.

Findings: Rural

The positive connections between cultural resources, income equality, and tax revenues are particularly strong in rural communities.

The connection between cultural resources and community livability was even stronger in rural communities compared to urban communities. This suggests the power of cultural resources in a community may be greater when resources are more dispersed.

It’s possible that in rural areas, where arts resources are generally fewer and more dispersed that the incremental value of additional investment is particularly noticeable for and impactful for community members.

Rural Finding 1:

Boosting the level of state arts grant dollars in a rural community is associated with a greater upswing in hotel and motel tax revenue ($21 per capita in rural counties compared to $10 in non-rural).

Rural Finding 2:

With additional arts investment in rural communities, there is a greater decline in the proportion of senior residents living alone (with an additional drop of .3% in rural areas).

Rural Finding 3:

Increasing the number of arts organizations is associated with a slightly larger drop in inequality in rural areas compared to urban areas.

Findings: WA Overall

While Washington State has high levels of arts vibrancy, access to arts and culture is unequally distributed across counties and state arts funding is below the national average.

According to a report by the Washington State Arts Commission (2020), nearly 60% of Washington residents engage with the arts in some capacity. The arts sector is also a vital economic driver, supporting 191,245 jobs (ranked 6th among all states) and contributing $70.2B (ranked 3rd) to the state’s economy. This broad impact underscores the arts role in shaping both daily life and long-term prosperity for Washington residents.

Access to Arts and Culture Nonprofits

Washington State has more than 6,000 arts and culture nonprofits, but access to arts organizations per capita is unequally distributed.

On average, there are 2.8 nonprofit arts organizations per 10,000 residents in Washington.

Nonprofit arts organizations reflect just a portion of the varied and rich cultural lives of Washingtonresidents with much creative activity happening outside of organizations altogether and outside of arts
organizations.

State Investment in Arts and Culture

State arts spending in Washington lags significantly behind the national average, at 57% less per person.

Washington’s state government allocated less than a dollar per resident ($0.98) on arts and culture support compared to a national average of $2.29 in state spending per person in fiscal year 2025.

The level of direct arts funding to nonprofit organizations through ArtsWA is less than a quarter per resident ($0.16).

Arts Vibrancy

Washington State ranks in the top third of all states on arts vibrancy, boasting a diverse array of arts resources and a highly engaged arts community.

The levels of arts vibrancy vary widely across Washington, with the highest performing county ranking in the top 1% nationally and the lowest performing county in the bottom 15%. This gap reflects significant differences in access to arts providers, funding, and government support for arts and culture organizations

To explore the arts vibrancy in more detail, visit (SMUDATAARTS – URL coming)

Interactive Map

To learn more about findings from your county use the interactive map below.

Interactive Map

Takeaways

Our analysis shows the connections between cultural resources and various aspects of community livability. Based on our findings, we have five key takeaways from this groundbreaking arts research.

We have five key takeaways from this groundbreaking arts research.

Takeaway 1:

Arts and culture are vital to the social fabric of our neighborhoods. Arts and Culture serve as the glue that keeps our communities strong, healthy, and vibrant.

Takeaway 2:

State arts funding and access to nonprofit arts and culture organizations are critical to fostering thriving, livable communities.

Takeaway 3:

Inequities in access to arts and culture exist across Washington counties. While urban-rural divides play a significant role in access to arts and culture across Washington, there are notable exceptions to this pattern.

Takeaway 4:

Rural areas experience even greater benefits from arts and cultural resources. Compared to urban areas, rural communities benefit from larger gains in key outcomes, including higher tourism tax revenue and reduced income inequality.

Takeaway 5

Despite below average state arts funding, Washington’s arts ecosystem is highly vibrant — raising the question: how much more livable could our communities be with stronger support?

Recommendations

Our findings confirm that accessible and well-funded arts and culture organizations improve livability outcomes for all. We believe that collective action on the recommendations will help secure the benefits of arts and culture across the state.

Recommendation 1: Match Washington State’s investment of $0.98 in arts and culture with the national average of $2.29 per person.

The data demonstrates that increased public investment in arts and culture fosters social cohesion, economic opportunity, and civic engagement across all communities. We encourage support for a state-level investment in arts and culture equal to the national average.

Public Officials:

Support federal, state, and local funding to arts and culture nonprofits.

Champion the arts as a tool for improving the lives of Washington residents.

Explore new policies and strategies to bolster funding for nonprofit arts organizations across the state.

Private Sector:

Contribute to arts and culture nonprofits. Since public funding is only a small portion of overall financial support, private investment is crucial to the health and sustainability of organizations.

Recognize the invaluable role of arts and culture in fostering livable communities.

Advocate for arts and culture funding in the regions where you do business as a part of your broader strategy to create thriving business.

Arts & Culture Particpants:
Advocate for the arts by engaging with elected officials, attending committee meetings, and sharing your experiences to influence policy decisions.

Use data from this report and other research to demonstrate the role arts play in building healthier, more livable communities.

Build relationships with legislators at all levels of government. Invite elected officials to your programs, engage in conversations, and share your priorities year-round.

Recommendation 2: Foster and maintain a healthy environment for arts and culture nonprofit organizations.

With Washington’s vibrant and diverse cultural landscape, it is vital for leaders and communities across the state to provide resources and infrastructure that sustain existing arts organizations and cultivate new ones. As the data shows, increased access to arts organizations leads to better outcomes for all.

Public Officials:

Support initiatives and policies that recognize arts and culture nonprofits as a critical part of a healthy community.

Get involved with arts and culture organizations in your district to better understand the barriers they face and collaborate on creating policies to address them.

Private Sector:

Engage with local arts and culture nonprofits by developing employee matching programs, volunteer opportunities, and workplace engagement initiatives.

Serve on arts and culture organizations boards, using your expertise to amplify their impact and strengthen cross-sector connections.

Recognize the role of arts and culture in product development and business strategies. Partner with nonprofits to integrate creative practices into your processes.

Arts & Culture Particpants:

Build and steward partnerships with other arts and culture organizations to strengthen collective impact.

Advocate for the infrastructure needed to fully participate in and contribute to your community.

Stay persistent. Success is a catalyst for greater engagement from all stakeholders.

Recommendation 3: Include arts and culture as a key tool for building community health.

Research shows that communities with strong arts and cultural sectors experience improved livability across multiple measures. These positive outcomes extend beyond enrichment—they are essential to building strong, resilient communities with better outcomes for all residents.

Public Officials:

Participate with arts and culture organizations and their audiences. These institutions serve as community gathering spaces—host town halls at their venues and attend their events.

Include arts and cultural advocates and administrators in decision-making processes, advisory roles, and committees to bring creativity and new perspectives to civic challenges.

Empower the arts and cultural community to actively participate in legislation that impacts them.

Private Sector:

Appoint arts and cultural leaders to corporate boards and workgroups to ensure cultural perspectives are considered in business decisions.

Include arts and culture organizations in focus groups and design reviews to gain insights from key community stakeholders.

Showcase artists as partners in innovation.

Arts & Culture Particpants:

Collect and share data that demonstrates the impact of
your work.

Frame your work as a part of a broader strategy to improve community well-being.

Remember that your contributions are essential to a healthy and thriving community.

Case Studies

The research team conducted a series of in-depth interviews with a variety of arts and culture nonprofit organizations across the state to learn more about how their work is connected to the livability outcomes identified through this research.

FIELD ARTS & EVENTS HALL

Mission: To be a home for arts and events that brings people together and strengthens our community.

Location: Port Angeles, WA 

Population: 20,101* 

Median Household income: $61,640* 

ArtsWA county spending available per person: $0.52 

County access to nonprofit arts and culture organizations per 1,000 people: 2.17 

NORTHWEST MUSEUM OF ARTS AND CULTURE

Mission: To engage our audiences in the appreciation of art, history, and culture of the Inland Northwest and beyond through collection stewardship, exhibitions, and programs that enrich and inspire.

Location: Spokane, Spokane County, Washington 

Population: 108,235* 

Median Household income: $70,722* 

ArtsWA county spending available per person: $0.10 

County access to nonprofit arts and culture organizations per 1,000 people: 0.68 

SEATTLE SYMPHONY

Mission: The Seattle Symphony unleashes the power of music, brings people together, and lifts the human spirit.

Location: Seattle, King County, Washington 

Population: 755,078* 

Median Household income: $121,984* 

ArtsWA county spending available per person: $0.32 

County access to nonprofit arts and culture organizations per 1,000 people: 1.24 

YAKIMA MUSIC EN ACCIÓN (YAMA)

Mission: Yakima Music en Acción (YAMA) grows confident young leaders throughout the neighborhoods it serves by widening access to professional-level music learning, igniting collective pride, and empowering and unifying students and families.

Location: Yakima, Yakima, Washington 

Population: 96,750* 

Median Household income: $59,228* 

ArtsWA county spending available per person: $0.08 

County access to nonprofit arts and culture organizations per 1,000 people: 0.46 

Sponsors

The LIS is sponsored by:

Research Partner:

Design by:

Advisory Committee

Research Advisory Committee

Amy Briggs, Hummingbird Studio

Florangela Davila, Journalist

Jackie Jones, Gates Foundation

Cat Martin, Paul G. Allen Family Foundation

Roin Morigeau, formerly Artist

Andrew Recinos, Tessitura

Krishna Thiagarajan, Washington State Arts Commissioner

Sharon Nyree Williams, Sharon Nyree Williams LLC

Jeremy Whittington, Spokane Arts

Alex Yang, Bank of America

Julie Zeigler, Humanities Washington

ArtsFund Policy & Advocacy Committee 2024

Kumi Baruffi, Umpqua Bank

Representative Liz Berry, Representative for Seattle’s 36th District

Aaron Blank, Fearey Group

Patrick Evans, Evergreen Recovery Centers

Tiffiny Evans, formerly T-Mobile

David Fischer, KNKX

Dwight Gee, Arts Advocate

Dianne Harris, University of Washington

Jackie Jones, Gates Foundation

Maria Mackey, Arts Advocate

Elizabeth MacPherson Hearn, Mithun

Andrew Recinos, Tessitura

Ginny Ruffner, Artist*

Linda Walton, Perkins Coie

Sung Yang, Pacific Public Affairs

ArtsFund

Michael Greer, President & CEO

Katy Corella, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives & Communications

With special thanks to Calandra Childers and Audrey Querns, who facilitated this project across various points of its life.

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