Nonprofit arts support thousands of jobs and contribute millions to Maine economy
Maine continues to be a leader in the arts, not just because of its high quality, but also because of its contributions to the job market in the Pine State.
A new study by University of Maine economist Todd Gabe reveals that Maine’s nonprofit arts and cultural organizations support 7,333 jobs statewide and generate $660 million in annual economic output through their operations, supplier purchases, and employee spending.
Analyzing IRS records, Gabe identified 1,424 organizations across Maine, ranging from prominent institutions like the Portland Museum of Art and Penobscot Theatre Company to rural galleries and local public libraries. Directly, these nonprofits employ 5,650 full- and part-time workers, pay $125 million in compensation, and produce $322 million in direct economic output. Combined with ripple effects from business-to-business vendor purchases and household spending, their statewide labor income reaches $226 million. These figures exclude visitor spending at area hotels, restaurants, and shops.
The research also highlights Maine’s national standing, ranking third per capita in arts and cultural nonprofits (103 per 100,000 residents), trailing only Washington, D.C., and Vermont. The state ranks second per capita for libraries and third for museums, theaters, and historical preservation societies.
“Most of these organizations are quite small, but collectively, they are sizable in terms of their employment and their economic impact,” Gabe said.
Conducted with input from the Cultural Alliance of Maine, the study demonstrates the sector's crucial role in community vitality and talent attraction. Cultural Alliance of Maine Director Mollie Cashwell noted that cultural hubs spur downtown revitalization and attract high-demand professionals, such as healthcare workers.
Funded by a USDA Rural Development Grant and the Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station, the research will expand to evaluate arts and cultural economic data across more than 3,100 U.S. counties.