Careers in this cluster often involve creative tasks, such as performing or writing. Most of the arts and design, entertainment and sports, and media and communication occupations in the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) are assigned to this cluster.

There were about 1.8 million jobs in the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations that are assigned to the arts, audio/video technology, and communications cluster, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Median annual wages for these occupations ranged from $24,220 for floral designers to $83,000 for art directors.

Many occupations in this cluster typically require a bachelor’s degree, although specific designations vary. For example, public address system announcers typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and short-term on-the-job training, and art directors typically need a bachelor’s degree and 5 or more years of experience in a related occupation.

BLS projects most job openings in the arts, audio/video technology, and communications cluster to be in occupations assigned to the visual arts pathway, which includes graphic designers. This occupation is projected to have the most job openings in the cluster.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

The arts and culture in the Kansas City metropolitan area are an intrinsic part of our vibrant community. The industry sustains our city’s quality of life, beauty and vitality, but also powers economic growth, jobs and tourism. Americans for the Arts (AFTA) has released its Arts & Economic Prosperity® 5 Study, which features national, as well as regional data, including 2015 data from five counties in the Kansas City metro area. The numbers make a compelling case for how arts and culture fuel our community’s growth and prosperity.

$276.1 million total 2015 economic impact of the arts & culture in KC metro

• $179.5 million spending by Arts & Cultures Organizations

• $96.6 million spending by Audiences

If the arts & culture industry were a single entity, it would rank as a top private sector employer, hiring artists and performers, but also other staff such as administrators and educators.

The arts and culture industry generates a combined $253.6M in household income that in turn goes back into the local economy for purchases, including cars, homes, and more.

Source: ArtsKC.org