Boulder Arts by the Numbers

2026

$115.1M in annual economic activity -- over four times that for other cities our size; 2,451 jobs; $21.9M in government revenues (Arts and Economic Prosperity 6 Research (AEP6))
Nonprofit orgs spent $53.5M in 2022; audience spending totaled $61.6M — more than double the median for comparable cities (AEP6)
The arts industry supports 2,451 jobs, over four times the median of other cities Boulder's size; nonprofits sustained 1,711 jobs and $51.6M in household income (AEP6)
Audience spending supports a further 740 jobs; 4,333 volunteers donated 152,746 hours, valued at $5.2M (AEP6)
Per capita arts expenditure grew 326.8%, from $6.94 to $29.62 (2015–2024); total arts budget grew 419.86% to $3,056,093 (Arts Blueprint Phase 1 Discovery Report)

64% of attendees are locals; 36% are non-local visitors spending an average of $46.97 per event (confirmed by both AEP6 and the 2024 General Operating Support survey)
87.9% of non-local cultural tourists report their primary purpose was specifically to attend the arts event or venue (AEP6)
Average attendee spending beyond admission is $33.28 per person per event; average ticket price reached $30 in 2024, up $5 over five years (2024 General Operating Support survey)
55% of local attendees said if the event weren't available, they would have traveled to another community for a similar experience (2024 General Operating Support survey)
Audience sizes surpassed pre-COVID levels by 2024 (2024 General Operating Support survey)

87% of Boulder arts attendees agree the venue or activity inspires a sense of community pride; 85% would feel a great sense of loss if it were gone; 78% see it as an important community pillar (AEP6)
93% of survey respondents agree or strongly agree about increasing support for nonprofit arts organizations (Arts Blueprint Phase 1 community engagement research)
Boulder ranked #14 on SMU DataArts' 2025 Arts Vibrancy Index nationally (SMU DataArts)
Arts Blueprint engagement: 2,000+ community members, ~1,200 questionnaire responses

45% of artists earn between $5,000–$10,000 annually from their work; 44% report financial hardship; only 13% earn over $50,000 (Artist Census)
Over 50% use home-based studios; only 17% rent workspaces outside the home (Artist Census)
Average artist income from artistic pursuits is under $19,000 — roughly one-third of total income; median artist income is ~$62,500 vs. Boulder's $87,000 median (Artist Census)
7% drop in creative jobs: From 2022 to 2024, total creative employment in Boulder declined 7% with the largest contractions in Marketing and Advertising and Radio/Music/Media (Boulder Creative Industries Report)
324 responses to the 2025 Artist Census questionnaire; three top priorities identified: Connection, Support, and Space (Artist Census)

68% of venue users (17 of 25) reported that space challenges prevented them from making, teaching, or presenting art (Venues Study)
40% of venue users reported finding suitable space in another city; 12% canceled a project entirely (Venues Study)
Affordability cited by 17 of 23 (74%) respondents who elaborated; availability/scheduling cited by 11 (48%) (Venues Study)
When asked on the questionnaire, priorities for the next ten years 76% agreed or strongly agreed (38% strongly agree, 38% agree) "increasing support for arts businesses and venues" (Arts Blueprint Phase 1 community engagement research)

Cultural grant funding grew from $232,234 to $1,326,541 between 2015 and 2024 (510.83% increase); total arts budget grew from $587,872 to $3,056,093 (Arts Blueprint Phase 1 Discovery Report)
Cultural grant applicants grew 63% from 2022 to 2024; 47% more people awarded; 21% increase in first-time recipients (Arts Blueprint Phase 1 Discovery Report)
97% increase in programming for diverse groups among GOS grantees from 2022 to 2024 (City of Boulder Office of Arts and Culture grantee reporting, as cited in Boulder Weekly (September 2024)
Nearly 300 arts, culture, and humanities organizations in Boulder County (Cause IQ)

Participation scale: 1,195 questionnaire respondents, 2,000+ total community members engaged through interviews, focus groups, tabling, and pop-up events at rec centers, Bike to Work Day, First Friday, and BVCP outreach events.
Who responded: 68% live in Boulder, 45% work in Boulder, 27% are professional artists or practitioners, 21% work for or own an arts/culture business or organization.
How people participate: 69% attend an arts or cultural event at least monthly, 41% take a class or make art at least once per week, 29% volunteer with an arts organization monthly or more.
What they want more of (top 4): arts festivals (57%), live performances at non-traditional venues like coffee shops and parks (54%), live performances at traditional venues (49%), public art (48%). Arts education in schools came in at 44%.
Top barriers: awareness of opportunities (70%), cost (64%), location/accessibility (40%).
Top priorities for the next 10 years: increasing support for nonprofit arts organizations (93%), increasing support for arts and cultural events (91%), youth opportunities (87%), arts and cultural programming for adults and families (84%), public art in the community (82%), support for arts businesses and venues (76%), support for individual artists (75%).
Vision words most commonly offered: Accessible, Inclusive, Vibrant, Diverse, Community, Affordable, Supportive.

*Together with qualitative data, comparative research, and expert advice