Perhaps it comes as obvious news to anyone who lives in Santa Fe—the artsiest town ever—but the state’s Department of Cultural Affairs today announced that the impact of arts and culture nonprofits throughout the state clocked in at $740.9 million in 2022.

“Our vibrant arts and culture scene is a testament to New Mexico’s uniqueness, attracting visitors and dollars from across the nation and the world,” says Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in a statement from the DCA. “The nonprofit arts are a powerful engine driving New Mexico’s economic prosperity.”

According to the just-released Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 study (or AEP6) conducted by national nonprofit Americans for the Arts, that breaks down to $267.5 million in spending by arts and culture organizations and $473.4 million in event-related spending by their various audiences. The money also supported 9,381 jobs statewide and brought in $106.1 million in local, state and federal government revenue.

The study used data collected in Santa Fe, Albuquerque and Taos, as well as a number of rural communities.

As for Santa Fe itself, the study found our little city generated $353.8 million in economic activity lat year, which breaks own to $99.6 million in spending by arts and culture organizations and $254.2 million in expenditures from their audiences. This accounts for 3,828 jobs, $162.2 million in income for residents and $47 million in tax revenue for the state.

More than a third of those who engaged with the arts don’t even live here, according to the study, and of those, it reports, just north of 57% came to New Mexico specifically to engage with the arts, resulting in an average $111.50 spend from each person who visited to check out museums and such. The study also notes that “84.5% of arts and culture attendees agree that the activity of venue where they were surveyed ‘is inspiring a sense of pride in this neighborhood or community.’”

“This study affirms what Santa Fe has long known and celebrated,” says Chelsey Johnson, the newly appointed arts and culture Director for Santa Fe’s Department of Arts & Culture in the DCA statement, “that the arts are not only an integral part of life here, but also our livelihood.”

Founded in 1960, Americans for the Arts main mission is to advance the arts and arts education, as well as individuals working within the arts.