Indiana Nonprofit Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation Employment Update
Read the updated report which includes employment data through 2019.
Key Findings in Nonprofit Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation Employment, 1995-2019.
Arts, entertainment, and recreation (AER) employment in Indiana grew 81 percent over the 1995-2019 period. In 2019, almost 45,000 workers were employed in the arts, entertainment, and recreation industry in Indiana, up from just under 25,000 in 1995. By comparison, Indiana’s total paid employment increased by 13 percent, from 2.7 million in 1995 to 3.1 million in 2019.
Nonprofit AER employment grew much slower than total AER employment, up only 14 percent from 1995 to 2019, adding 800 employees from 6,000 in 1995 to 6,900 in 2019. By 2019, nonprofits employed 15 percent of all paid employees in the AER industry, down from 25 percent in 1995.
Nonprofit employment in AER grew at an average annual rate of 0.6 percent between 1995 and 2019 and increased for 15 of the 25 years between 1995-2019. Most of the loss in nonprofit employment occurred between 2004 and 2014.
For-profit employment in AER grew at a notably faster annual rate — 3 percent between 1995 and 2019, and government employment increased at an average annual rate of 1 percent. Like nonprofit employment, for-profit employment declined during the 2004 to 2014 period.
Nonprofit payroll for AER grew just below twice the rate of employment at 26 percent up from $149 million in 1995 to $188 million in 2019 (in constant 2019 dollars). Nonprofit payroll in AER has increased for 15 years since 1995 (by an average of 1 percent per year). For 16 of the 25 years, annual growth was less than 2 percent.
Each of the three AER subindustries show distinct patterns of nonprofit paid employment between 1995-2019. The amusement subindustry accounts for most nonprofit jobs in the AER industry even though the nonprofit share of total employment is low in this subindustry. The museums and similar institutions subindustry employ fewer nonprofit workers, but they dominate the industry. The performing arts and related industries subindustry has relatively few nonprofit employees. Each of the three subindustries have minor subindustries with distinctive patterns.
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
Report Summary
Key Findings in Nonprofit AER, 1995‐2009:
- Total AER employment (nonprofit, for‐profit, and government) became increasingly important in Indiana from 1995 to 2009. While Indiana employment decreased overall, total AER employment grew by 79 percent. Payroll in AER increased an impressive 121 percent (adjusted for inflation).
- Nonprofit employment in the AER grew modestly (less than 9 percent between 1995 and 2009), while for‐profits experienced a 79 percent growth in employment.
- Nonprofit wages in AER were on average 32 percent less than for‐profit wages.
- Employment, establishments, and payroll in AER peaked in summer months. This was particularly true for nonprofits such as clubs and membership groups (those not classified as 501(c)(3) charitable organizations) and for‐profit establishments.
- Average monthly wages for nonprofit workers in AER were lowest during the summer quarter and highest during the winter quarter.