According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, arts and cultural production contributed $730 billion to the nation’s economy in 2014. This represents 4.2 percent of the GDP—a larger share of the economy than transportation, tourism, or construction. 

The arts and culture sector is a $730 billion industry, which represents 4.2 percent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)—a larger share of the economy than transportation, tourism, or construction—according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.