A new statewide report on the arts puts numbers behind something Western New York’s creative community has been building for years: real momentum.

From job growth to neighborhood impact, the data shows that the arts are contributing in significant ways across the region while also underscoring the challenges artists and organizations continue to face.

The report, released by the Center for an Urban Future, takes a deep look at the creative economy across the state, including a dedicated analysis of Western New York.

If you want to explore the full findings, you can read the reports here:

Below, we’ve highlighted some of the details that stood out to us and what it means for all of us working in, alongside, and in support of the arts.

Our Big Takeaway: The Arts are Growing in WNY!

One of the clearest takeaways from the report is that the creative economy in Western New York is not just active – it is growing at a notable pace. Over the past decade, arts and culture employment in the region increased by 32.6%, adding over 1,000 jobs, even as overall employment declined by 0.7%. This change reflects a broader trend seen across upstate New York.

Employment in Western New York’s arts and culture sector outpaced other regions across New York State, with jobs growing 20.5% statewide – 12.1% less than WNY – over the past decade. Notably, this growth is more than double the rate of overall state employment growth.

Taken together, these findings reinforce that the arts are not a “side story” in the region’s recovery and growth, but a meaningful and expanding part of its economic foundation.

Strengths in WNY’s Creative Community

The report also underscores the visible impact of creative workers across Western New York, showing how artists transform physical spaces and activate communities – think public art, outdoor concerts series, and new performing arts spaces. The arts are attributed to revitalizing downtowns, attracting visitors, supporting small businesses, and increasing foot traffic in commercial corridors in urban and rural communities alike. In many cases, artists are the first to invest in a place, leading to broader neighborhood and economic development.

The report also points to a deep connection between the arts and regional identity. Creative work in Western New York is often rooted in place, reflecting local histories, cultures, and communities. This sense of authenticity strengthens both the impact and resonance of the work, contributing to a cultural landscape that is distinct and locally driven.

In addition, much of the sector’s momentum continues to be driven by artists themselves. Even with limited resources, artists organize initiatives, build networks, and create platforms that sustain the ecosystem and support emerging creative talent.

Ongoing Challenges

Despite growth, significant challenges remain. Funding has not kept pace with the sector’s expansion, and individual artists continue to face income instability, limited access to benefits, and few long-term safety nets. Arts organizations are navigating rising costs, staffing challenges, and shifting audience habits. Arts workers in Western New York earn an average salary of $41,454, well below the regional average of $70,803. Without targeted support, the sector risks stagnation, especially as federal funding has declined and local resources remain constrained.

State and federal funding cuts threaten to deepen these financial challenges. From 2024 to 2025, National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) funding directed to WNY fell by 71%, from $430,882 to $125,000. And with unstable federal funding, state support is more important than ever. Yet after adjusting for inflation, New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) operating grants to Western New York have fallen 10.7 percent over the past 25 years – from $4.1 million in FY 2000 to $3.7 million in FY 2025.

Opportunities for Growth

Even with this momentum, the report is clear: funding hasn’t kept pace with impact. Despite strong outcomes, arts and culture receive only a small share of economic development investment. Ultimately, this means that the sector is overperforming relative to its resources – and that’s not sustainable long-term.

The report points toward a few clear areas where continued energy could make a real difference:

  • Provide reliable, inflation-adjusted funding for the arts – Direct support for creative workers remains one of the most impactful strategies for long-term growth.
  • Integrate the arts across the state’s economic development and policy agenda – The arts are not an add-on, but a core part of how we think about development in WNY.
  • Expanding access and opportunity for individual artists – Ensuring that artists of all backgrounds can participate in and benefit from the region’s growth.
  • Sustaining creative spaces and place-based work – Keep investment rooted in neighborhoods and communities.
  • Read the full list of recommendations here.

The opportunity now is not to prove the value of the arts, but to build on existing momentum with more intentional investment and sustaining support.