ARTS & ECONOMIC PROSPERITY 6

New Hanover County

The Economic Impact of Nonprofit Arts & Culture

$75.6 MILLION

in annual economic activity

Generated by nonprofit arts and culture organizations and their audiences in New Hanover County.

JOBS & PAYROLL

1,285 local jobs supported
$40+ million in payroll

Jobs supported include artists and performers, arts administrators and technicians, as well as workers in hospitality, retail, and tourism.

AUDIENCE SPENDING

Approximately $45 per person, per event
(Beyond the cost of admission)

Audience spending supports local restaurants, retail businesses, parking and transportation services, lodging, and child care. A significant share of attendees come from outside New Hanover County, strengthening the local visitor economy.

TAX REVENUE GENERATED

Nonprofit arts and culture activities generate meaningful public revenue:

  • $1.4 million in local government revenue

  • More than $2 million in state government revenue

  • More than $8 million in federal government revenue

COMMUNITY IMPACT

Audience survey findings indicate that:

  • Arts and cultural organizations are essential to quality of life

  • Cultural events build community pride and identity

  • Residents would be disappointed if arts organizations were no longer available

  • The arts help make New Hanover County a place people want to live, work, and visit

WHY IT MATTERS

The nonprofit arts and culture sector:

  • Drives economic development

  • Strengthens the visitor economy

  • Supports workforce retention and attraction

  • Delivers a measurable return on public and private investment

SOURCE

Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6)
Conducted by Americans for the Arts

Local Partner:
Arts Council of Wilmington & New Hanover County

Community Studied:
New Hanover County

Downloads

Click below to download the Summary or the Full Report.

NC_NewHanoverCounty_AEP6_OnePageSummaryOfFindings

NC_NewHanoverCounty_AEP6_CustomizedFinalReport

AEP6 Findings Press Release

AEP6 Calculator

City-State Candidates to Talk Arts

The 2026 Candidates Forum on the Arts is set for Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S. 17th Street, Wilmington.

Hosted by the Arts Council of Wilmington & New Hanover County, this nonpartisan forum will feature candidates for the North Carolina Senate, North Carolina House of Representatives, and the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners.

The forum offers an opportunity to engage with voters on the vital role the arts play in our community’s quality of life and economic prosperity. The Arts Council’s mission is to support artists, arts organizations, and audiences through innovative public-private partnerships that create jobs, stimulate commerce, strengthen education, and position our region as a premier arts destination.

The creative economy is a significant driver of growth in both North Carolina and New Hanover County, and the decisions our elected leaders make will help shape its future. We hope you will join us for this important conversation with an informed and engaged electorate.

We look forward to welcoming you on September 29.