Economy White Paper Series

Despite making up a considerable share of both U.S. and California GDP, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses and organizations in the creative economy are being left out of much of the support other industries are receiving. Our latest white paper finds that creative economy businesses have experienced particularly alarming job and revenue losses as a result of shelter-in-place mandates, but the level of public sector relief directed at these organizations falls far short of other sectors.

The new analysis argues that arts, entertainment, and cultural activity – which includes performing arts, spectator sports, art galleries, museums, historical sites, and other creative businesses – play a critical but underappreciated role in the overall health and prosperity of the national and state economy.