Arts Advocacy
Reach out to Elected Officials!
Please help protect state arts funding by contacting your legislators to let them know how important the arts are to you and your community! Advocate for the legislature to uphold the 47% allocation for the Legacy Amendment’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund by making a phone call, writing an e-mail, or visiting your legislators in person. Legacy funding and general state funding for the arts ensure that all 87 counties have access to arts programming that enriches lives and strengthens communities.
Follow this link to Minnesota Citizens for the Arts’ website where you will find helpful tips for contacting your legislators.
Save the Date! Arts Advocacy Day is March 3, 2026
Gather at the State Capitol with other arts advocates from throughout the state to show your support for state funding of the arts! Meet with your legislators to thank them for their support of Legacy funding last session and to advocate for their ongoing support. Sign up for Minnesota Citizens for the Arts (MCA) newsletter and become a member of MCA to help support their work on behalf of the state’s arts community.
The Results of the 2025 Creative MN Economic Impact Study Are In!
Minnesota Citizens for the Arts released its 2025 Creative MN Economic Impact of the Arts report and the results are impressive! Here is just some of what it found:
• 65% of Minnesotans engage with arts and culture every year (national average is 54%)
• The total economic impact of the nonprofit arts sector in 2024 was $1.6 billion
• The arts sector generates $160.5 million in total state revenue
• More than 17.5 million Minnesotans attended an arts and culture event in 2024
• Audiences put $605 million into arts and culture related spending
• Minnesota is home to more than 130,000 artists and creative workers
Southeastern Minnesota Economic Impact
The study also looked at the economic impact of the various regions across the state. Highlights for Southeastern Minnesota (Region 10) include:
• $86.8 million total economic impact
• 731 jobs supported by arts organizations and their audiences
• 496,418 people attended arts events in 2024
• $36.69 average spending per person, per event (beyond ticket costs)
• $12.6 million in total tax revenue generated (local, state, and federal)
• Arts audiences support local restaurants, shops, hotels, and businesses throughout southeast Minnesota’s 11 counties
New this year! Check out the Arts Economic Calculator
See the economic impact of your organization by entering the population size of your community, your operating expenses, and your attendance. Use the results in grant applications or when contacting your legislators, share them with local government officials, and let your supporters know the difference they help make in your community!