Because of Governor Abbott trusting me with a seat on the Texas Commission on the Arts to help work to advance the arts in Texas, I am now finding myself maybe the number one art advocate (especially as my ‘real job’ is local philanthropy).
There is an old saying that I love because it is so true; it goes like this, “You don’t know what you don’t know.” I thought I knew the value of art based on the love of art... but that was because I didn’t realize how much I didn’t know! Let me tell you some of the things I have learned to love about art!
Art and culture are in our hearts and in our souls…but art and culture are also industries… and they are Big Business! The latest numbers are in. According to the newly released 2025 State of the Arts Report by the Texas Cultural Trust, the creative economy is booming! From art galleries and live music venues to cultural festivals and film productions, the arts drive tourism and directly fuel local businesses, making our communities more livable AND more prosperous! With tourism spending hitting over $94.8 billion, an investment in the arts is an investment in our local economies, job growth, and community identity. These are truly quality-of-life issues. Just look at some of the numbers:
~ $7.3 billion in economic impact!
~ Almost 1 million Texans work in creative sectors (1 in 14 jobs!)
~ $459.1 million in state sales tax revenue!
~ $2.52 billion generated by the Texas film industry!
The Texas Commission on the Arts held our quarterly meeting in Austin September 4. We approved over $16.5 million in grants at that meeting! That amount of money will have a huge beneficial impact on the economy of our state playing out in uplifting and supporting the quality of life of 113 Texas towns and cities! And because of the cultural tourism generated, the funds invested will just keep expanding that investment.
Included in the role that TCA plays in developing and promoting the arts is the designating and supporting of Cultural Districts across the state of Texas. These designated cultural districts serve as key economic drivers. “They are special zones that harness the power of cultural resources to stimulate economic development and community vitality.” These districts are proven to generate business and attract tourism…elevating the local economy wherever they are. We approved the designation of four new cultural districts! These designations bring the total number of cultural districts in Texas to 57. Cultural Districts have consistently offered a two to one return on economic investment in state tax revenue! Where else do you see that?
All in all, the art and cultural industries are powerhouses; generating billions in revenue in economic impact and supporting nearly a million jobs; making them a vital sector for employment across the state, significant contributors to tourism, community revitalization, and state and local sales tax revenue by attracting businesses and visitors. Cultural tourists contribute significantly to the Texas economy by staying longer and spending more money than non-cultural tourists! A strong arts presence makes communities attractive to new businesses and new residents. Every single Texan is an art patron in some way, think about that!
It’s phenomenal, really! Enough cannot be said about supporting and advocating for the arts, because now we all know, they have the power to keep us economically strong while inspiring our hearts and souls.
Much gratitude to Steve Taylor and the Rio Grande Guardian for their advocacy of the Arts and this invitation to report on the quarterly meeting of The Texas Commission on the Arts.
Here are some useful links:
2025 State of the Arts Report by txculturaltrust - Issuu
Texas Commission on the Arts |
Editor’s Note: The above guest column was penned by Diane Milliken Garza, PhD, Commissioner for the Texas Commission on the Arts, and CEO of the Rio Grande Valley Philanthropic Foundation. The column appears in the Rio Grande Guardian with the permission of the author.
