1408.1 The cultural economy is the system of individuals and organizations that produce and exchange cultural goods with consumers. This system facilitates cultural advancement by connecting cultural product development with revenue streams that enable creators to devote their time to refining cultural practices and producing creative works.

1408.2 To get an accurate understanding of the size and composition of Washington, DC's cultural economy, the DC Office of Planning (OP) conducted an analysis as part of the DC Cultural Plan in 2016. The analysis found more than 156,000 people were directly and indirectly employed in the District's cultural economy and that they collectively earned $12.4 billion in wages that year. The workforce is employed in industries and occupations such as writing, graphic design, advertising, architecture, and media, as well as the visual and performing arts.

1408.3 This workforce helps distinguish Washington, DC's economy. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the District has a high concentration of arts and cultural employment. The cultural workforce strengthens the District in two primary ways: growing arts and cultural industries and facilitating innovation in the broader economy.

1408.4 The District offers a host of programs that support the personal and professional creative development for residents and organizations. CAH provides grant programs that include fellowships for artists, in addition to capacity building programs that combine technical assistance with grant funding for cultural nonprofits. Additionally, the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) offers grants and technical assistance for aspiring and established local business owners, including cultural businesses. The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) administers programs that produce and preserve affordable housing. The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) provides capital improvement grant funding on a competitive basis to businesses in Great Streets corridors.

1408.5 The Mayor's Offices of Latino Affairs, Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs, African Affairs, and LGBTQ Affairs issue cultural grants and promote, preserve, and support the distinct cultures of their constituencies, often in consultation and partnership with their respective advisory committees. Likewise, the Mayor's Offices on Veterans' Affairs and Returning Citizens Affairs provide a variety of services and support programming to build community and support individuals and families in the veterans and returning citizens communities. The Mayor's Office of Religious Affairs, often in collaboration with the Mayor's Interfaith Council, engages communities and faith-based organizations in the creation of District-wide programs and initiatives across multiple disciplines, bringing

distinct cultural voices to a range of topics. Still other commissions, task forces, and boards promote other elements of Washington, DC’s tapestry of cultures. Together, these programs help advance the District’s cultural economy.

1408.6 The jobs, wages, and tax revenue created through the cultural economy are important; however, culture is not defined by, or limited to works that generate, financial returns. The District recognizes that less economically tangible cultural activities are also valuable. Analyzing the cultural economy has helped the District understand its size, structure, and composition. Through this analysis and numerous stakeholder interviews, the Cultural Plan identified affordable housing, business development, and cultural tourism as focus areas in the cultural economy.

SOURCE: District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; 31 DCR 1049 (March 9, 1984)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Element Amendment Act of 1984, effective March 16, 1985 (D.C. Law 5-187; 32 DCR 873 (February 15, 1985)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-129; 37 DCR 55 (January 5, 1990)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989 NCPC-Recommended Amendments, and Closing of Public Alleys in Square 669, S.O. 88-452, Act of 1990, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-132; 37 DCR 2213 (April 6, 1990)); as amended by District Government Land Use Temporary Amendment Act of 1994, effective October 1, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-190; 41 DCR 5360 (August 12, 1994)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1994, effective October 6, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-193; 41 DCR 5536 (August 19, 1994)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Amendment Act of 1994, effective March 21, 1995 (D.C. Law 10-235; 42 DCR 30 (January 6, 1995)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1996, effective April 18, 1996 (D.C. Law 11-110; 43 DCR 530 (February 9, 1996)); as amended by Second Technical Amendments Act of 1996, effective April 9, 1997 (D.C. Law 11-255; 44 DCR 1271 (March 7, 1997)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 1998, effective April 27, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-275; 46 DCR 1441 (February 19, 1999)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1999, effective April 12, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-91; 47 DCR 520 (January 28, 2000)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-300; 54 DCR 924 (February 2, 2007)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 2008, effective March 25, 2009 (D.C. Law 17-353; 56 DCR 1117 (February 6, 2009)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2010, effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18-361; 58 DCR 908 (February 4, 2011)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2021, effective August 21, 2021 (D.C. Law 24-20; 68 DCR 006918 (July 16, 2021)).