Who We Are

A Coalition of Arts Practitioners, Artists and Members of the Creative Industries

Arts for Biden-Harris is a coalition of arts practitioners, artists and members of the Creative Industries who have come together to support the Biden-Harris ticket. The arts nourish America’s creativity, innovation and diversity, as well as being a vital part of the economy. Under Biden-Harris, the arts can serve as a valuable partner in Building Back Better.

​

THE ARTS IN THE 2020 CAMPAIGN

What contribution can the Arts Community make to effecting change in the upcoming election? This constituency ranges from small, community-based organizations to larger, non-profit and commercial professional visual and performing arts institutions. In terms of numbers, this community is comprised of:

• 4,500 Local Arts Agencies (Arts Councils or Commissions at the City/County/State Level)

• 120,000 Non-Profit Arts Organizations (Performing, Presenting, Museums and Visual Arts Organizations)

• 673,000 Arts Businesses (nonprofit AND for-profit, per Dun & Bradstreet data )

• 2.5 Million Working Artists

• 780,000 Self-Employed Artists*

According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, arts and culture contributed $877.8 billion to the nation’s economy in 2017. This represents 4.5 percent of the GDP—a larger share of the economy than transportation, agriculture, and construction.

Not only does this industry have significant economic impact, but the reach of the sector is extraordinary. When it is considered that just one organization from among the 120,000 non-profit arts organizations has a board of directors, hundreds of donors and potentially thousands of audience members and attendees, it becomes clear that this constituency has a serious contribution to make.

*Source: National Arts Index 2019, Americans for the Arts

​