---
title: 2021 West Virginia Creative Impact Report
description: This Creative Impact Report details the economic and community impact of the creative industries in West Virginia. This report shows that arts funding is economic development.
---

[Skip to content](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/2021-west-virginia-creative-impact-report#main-content)

[More support](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) [Customer portal](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/tickets-view?hsLang=en)

![West Virginia Creative Network Logo](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-04-13%20at%208.42.07%20PM.png?width=536&height=104&name=Screenshot%202025-04-13%20at%208.42.07%20PM.png)

Open main navigation

Close main navigation

- [More support](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/kb-tickets/new)
- [Customer portal](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/tickets-view)
- [Contact us](https://westvirginiacreativenetwork.mysites.io/contact-us/)

[Contact us](https://westvirginiacreativenetwork.mysites.io/contact-us/)

 How can we help you?

- There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

1. [West Virginia Creative Network](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base?hsLang=en)
2. [For Arts Supporters](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/for-arts-supporters?hsLang=en)

September 15, 2025

# 2021 West Virginia Creative Impact Report

## This report details the economic impact and direct benefits of the creative industries in West Virginia. This impact report shows that arts funding is economic development.

**[Download the complete 2021 Creative Impact Report here](https://tamarackfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Tamarack_CreativeImpactReport_2021-2.pdf)**  
. 

The West Virginia Creative Network (formerly known as The Tamarack Foundation For the Arts) equips artists with the tools needed to scale up and turn their creative talent into significant revenue—because when we do, our state flourishes.

With the right support, creative entrepreneurs have the potential to drive, grow, and sustain a vital new economy in the Mountain State. West Virginia artists help make their communities more attractive places to live and destinations to visit which leads to growth in population and higher incomes in those communities. The numbers in this report demonstrate that arts funding is economic development.

### ECONOMIC IMPACT

#### In West Virginia, the Creative Industries Deliver...

18,326 JOBS provided in West Virginia  
$919 MILLION in compensation to families  
$1.6 BILLION of the state's economy

### ATTRACTION & RETENTION

#### Arts Impact Communities

Increased POPULATION retention  
Higher EMPLOYMENT & INCOME  
Further TOURISM growth

### An investment by West Virginia in its artists is an investment in West Virginia’s future.

- [For Artists](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/for-artists?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Getting Started](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/for-artists?hsLang=en#getting-started)
    - [Artist Account Support](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/for-artists?hsLang=en#artist-account-support)
    - [Artist Directory Support](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/for-artists?hsLang=en#artist-directory-support)
    - [Artist Opportunities](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/for-artists?hsLang=en#artist-opportunities)
    - [Toolkits & Career Resources](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/for-artists?hsLang=en#toolkits-career-resources)
    - [Creative Skill Development & Enrichment](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/for-artists?hsLang=en#creative-skill-development-enrichment)
    - [Creative Business Resources](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/for-artists?hsLang=en#creative-business-resources)
    - [Funding & Grants](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/for-artists?hsLang=en#funding-grants)
- [For Customers](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/for-customers?hsLang=en)
- [FAQs](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/faqs?hsLang=en)
- [General](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/general?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Creative Placemaking](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/general?hsLang=en#creative-placemaking)
    - [Accessibility](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/general?hsLang=en#accessibility)
- [Support](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/support?hsLang=en)
- [For Arts Supporters](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/for-arts-supporters?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Creative Placemaking](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/for-arts-supporters?hsLang=en#creative-placemaking)
    - [Arts Advocacy](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/for-arts-supporters?hsLang=en#arts-advocacy)
- [For Organizations](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/for-organizations?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Accessibility](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/for-organizations?hsLang=en#accessibility)
    - [Disaster Preparation & Emergency Planning](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/knowledge-base/for-organizations?hsLang=en#disaster-preparation-emergency-planning)

[![West Virginia Creative Network Logo](https://help.wvcreativenetwork.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-04-13%20at%208.42.07%20PM.png?width=536&height=104&name=Screenshot%202025-04-13%20at%208.42.07%20PM.png "West Virginia Creative Network Logo")](http://wvcreativenetwork.org)

© West Virginia Creative Network. Designed in Collaboration with [WD Strategies](https://www.wd-strategies.com/).

<https://www.facebook.com/> <https://www.twitter.com/> <https://www.instagram.com/> <https://podcasts.apple.com/> [mailto:email@email.com](mailto:email@email.com)