asdf
Arts & Culture






Arts and culture can bring distinction and visitors to a region. Access to arts and culture can foster creativity in children and increase social cohesion, relationships and a sense of belonging in communities. In the MetroWest region, many indicators of the health of the sector show positive increases. Explore the StoryMap,  Arts & Culture in MetroWest: The Impact Arts and Culture Can Have on a Community, to learn more about the arts and culture community in MetroWest.

In 2022, MetroWest had somewhat fewer establishments in the Arts, Establishment and Recreation Sector (5.5 per 10,0000 residents) than the state as a whole (6.2), but the sector has grown steadily since 2012. 

In 2023, almost $6.4 billion was spent by visitors to MetroWest, or about $2,000 per resident of the region. This is a 18% increase in the region since 2006. MetroWest comprised about 27% of the $23 billion spent statewide.

Attendance at arts and cultural organizations helps demonstrate the importance of the sector to the community and provide insight into how institutions are engaging the community. In 2022, nearly 4.6 million people visited an arts and culture institution in the MetroWest region. About 1.4 million were paid attendees and about 3.2 million attended for free.

Employment in the arts and culture sector provides insight into the sector’s financial strength and contribution to the larger regional economy. In 2021, 1.2% of jobs in MetroWest were in the Arts, Entertainment and Recreation sector, slightly lower than the levels at the state and nation (1.3% and 1.4% respectively). The region’s rate has increased since 2000, while state and nation levels decreased.

Financial support helps sustain diverse art forms and stimulates local economies by creating jobs and attracting tourism. In 2023, the Mass Cultural Council of the Arts provided over $21 million in arts grants to organizations in the MetroWest region, or about $6 per resident, lower than the statewide rate of $26 per resident. The rate per resident in MetroWest has increased by $4 since 2014.

Participating in arts in school allows students to explore different perspectives, reflect on emotions and foster creativity and innovation. In 2024, there were 50 full-time arts teachers employed in MetroWest public schools per 10,000 students, similar to the state rate of 51. This is an increase in MetroWest from 42 arts teachers per 10,000 students in 2008.

In 2023, 84% of students in MetroWest took an arts course, higher than the state rate of 82%. Multiracial students in the MetroWest region had the largest percentage of students taking arts courses at 87% followed by Asian students (85%) and White students (84%). Black students (82%), Hispanic and economically disadvantaged students (both 82%) were the groups with the lowest percentages. Visual art courses were taken by the largest percentage of students at 76%, followed by music at 69%.   





INDICATORS REGIONAL TREND
Early Prenatal Care by Mother's Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Children Living in Poverty Not Applicable
Children Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Single-Parent Families Not Applicable
Single-Parent Families by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Disengaged Youth Not Applicable
Reports of Domestic Violence Not Applicable
Arts, Entertainment and Recreation Establishments Not Applicable
Households Without Vehicles Not Applicable
Means of Transportation to Work Not Applicable
Households With Internet Access Not Applicable
Voter Participation Rate Not Applicable
Average Charitable Contribution Not Applicable
People Without Health Insurance Not Applicable
Opioid Overdose Mortality Rate Not Applicable
Crimes Against People Not Applicable
Incarceration Rates, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Tourism Spending Not Applicable
Arts, Entertainment and Recreation Employment Not Applicable
Arts Grants Distribution Not Applicable
Arts and Culture Attendance Not Applicable
Change in Total Population Not Applicable
Change in Population by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Foreign-Born Population Not Applicable
Language Diversity Not Applicable
Population by Age Not Applicable
Change in Population by Age/Gender Not Applicable
Seniors Living Alone Not Applicable
People with Disabilities Not Applicable
Change in Total Jobs by Sector Not Applicable
Unemployment Rate Not Applicable
Business Ownership by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Unemployment Rate by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Share of Workers who are Professionals, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Average Salary by Sector Not Applicable
High-Tech Jobs Not Applicable
Female to Male Earnings Ratio Not Applicable
Prekindergarten Participation Not Applicable
Student Performance on Grade 3 English, by Student Group Not Applicable
School Spending Per Student Not Applicable
Student Performance on Grade 8 Math by Student Group Not Applicable
Chronically Absent Students Not Applicable
High School Cohort Graduation Rate by Student Group Not Applicable
Education Levels of Adults Not Applicable
College Admission Rate, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Education Levels of Adults, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Arts Teachers in Public Schools Not Applicable
Students Taking Arts Courses Not Applicable
Students Taking Arts Courses, by Grade Level Not Applicable
Students Taking Arts Courses, by Student Group Not Applicable
Students Taking Arts Courses, by Subject Not Applicable
People Living in Poverty Not Applicable
People Living in Poverty, by Education Level Not Applicable
People Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Households Receiving Temporary Assistance Not Applicable
Participation in Food Assistance by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Median Household Income Not Applicable
Median Household Income, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Living Wage Not Applicable
80/20 Income Ratio Not Applicable
Access to Financial Services, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Homeownership Rates Not Applicable
Homeownership Rates, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Cost of Homeownership Not Applicable
Cost of Homeownership, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Cost of Rent Not Applicable
Cost of Rent, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Homelessness Not Applicable
Early Prenatal Care by Mother's Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Children Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Single-Parent Families by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Arts, Entertainment and Recreation Establishments Not Applicable
Incarceration Rates, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Tourism Spending Not Applicable
Arts, Entertainment and Recreation Employment Not Applicable
Arts Grants Distribution Not Applicable
Arts and Culture Attendance Not Applicable
Change in Population by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Business Ownership by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Unemployment Rate by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Share of Workers who are Professionals, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Student Performance on Grade 3 English, by Student Group Not Applicable
Student Performance on Grade 8 Math by Student Group Not Applicable
High School Cohort Graduation Rate by Student Group Not Applicable
College Admission Rate, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Education Levels of Adults, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Arts Teachers in Public Schools Not Applicable
Students Taking Arts Courses Not Applicable
Students Taking Arts Courses, by Grade Level Not Applicable
Students Taking Arts Courses, by Student Group Not Applicable
Students Taking Arts Courses, by Subject Not Applicable
People Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Participation in Food Assistance by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Median Household Income, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Access to Financial Services, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Homeownership Rates, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Cost of Homeownership, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Cost of Rent, by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable


Loading...