Cashing in on culture: local employment effects from art and cultural district designation

Gary A. Wagner () and Javier E. Portillo ()
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Gary A. Wagner: University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Javier E. Portillo: University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Journal of Cultural Economics, 2024, vol. 48, issue 4, No 6, 645-684

Abstract: Abstract U.S. state-designated cultural districts are modern place-based policies that leverage local arts and culture to foster economic growth. While their use is increasing, with more than 375 extant in eighteen states, large-scale evaluations of their efficacy are scarce or non-existent. This study, which relies on geocoded establishment data, finds a modest but persistent increase in employment for some in-district establishments relative to same-industry establishments located beyond district boundaries. The most effective district-implemented incentives for expanding employment appear to be direct grants to establishments, while sales tax credits also show potential benefits.

Keywords: Cultural districts; Arts; Economic development; Place-based policies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: R3 R58 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1007/s10824-024-09517-x

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