While often heralded for their contribution as an important aspect of community life, the cultural arts are often absent in conversations concerning economic impact or economic contribution.  The data and information within this compass point help to underscore the sentiment that the cultural arts resources of a community are essential and vital assets of a community.  These assets are understood to be important on a variety of levels.  While cultural arts dramatically enrich our knowledge and general well-being as humans, they also provide significant contribution to the economic vitality of a community. 

• With a creativity score of 960 (as measured by the creativity index created by Richard Florida), the Dallas region ranks 10th among 49 regions across the nation.
• The total economic impact of the arts in the North Texas area for the year 2004 was approximately $700.7 million, according to the most recent economic impact study commissioned by North Texas Business for Culture and the Arts.
• The 260 organizations in the Dallas PMSA during 2005 represent nearly 20% of the total 1,329 arts, culture, and humanities nonprofits present in the state of Texas during 2005, according to data from the National Center for Charitable Statistics at the Urban Institute's Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy.
• Between 2000 and 2003, the aggregate number of cultural arts establishments in Collin County (includes all three categories listed above) increased 42.9%. 
   

Arts & Culture: Enjoying Enriching Cultural Activities encompasses 6 aspirations and 19 indicators.