The Iowa Cultural Coalition’s first “Create in Iowa” report shows more than 42-thousand Iowans work in arts and culture, across more than 58-hundred arts and creative businesses. Coalition Vice President Matt McIver says the number of people working in arts and culture is equivalent to some of Iowa’s largest employers.

He says it is revealing for someone who works in the field.

The report finds that arts and culture work generates nearly five billion dollars in annual economic impact on the state. Iowa Cultural Coalition President Lindsay Bauer (BOW-er) says she hopes the report can show how investment in creativity can support growing Iowa’s population.

The report found that rural counties with performing arts organizations see faster population growth and recover faster from economic recessions. It calls for the expansion of funding for rural and small-scale projects. It recommends better aligning the creative sector with strategies led by foundations, chambers, cities, and tourism organizations to drive rural, community, and economic development efforts. Bauer and McIver made their comments on Iowa Public Radio’s “Talk of Iowa” program.

Josie Fischels, Iowa Public Radio