Arts and culture drive the economy of San Luis Obispo County
The 2025 Arts & Culture Economic Impact Report shows the creative sector’s vital role in local growth, tourism, and community wellbeing.
From local galleries and live performances to design firms and creative entrepreneurs, the arts fuel our regional economy. The 2025 report reveals that every dollar invested in the arts returns real value to local businesses, education, and civic life.
Read the 2025 report
The San Luis Obispo County Arts Council commissioned this study with the support from the City of Paso Robles and the City of San Luis Obispo to better understand the economic role of arts and culture in our region. Through data analysis, surveys, focus groups, and economic modeling, the report presents a detailed picture of how arts organizations, individual artists, and arts and cultural events contribute to San Luis Obispo County’s economy and community.