Issue: Economy and Jobs

Each year, museums contribute $50 billion to the national economy, support jobs for 726,000 Americans, and bolster a large tourism industry in local communities. Museums and other cultural organizations return over five times more in tax revenue than they receive in government funding – generating $12b annually in tax revenues for federal, state, and local governments. Unfortunately, in 2009, Congress excluded zoos and aquariums from competing for any funds made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and only narrowly avoided excluding all museums and other cultural institutions as well. In 2013, the federal government shutdown forced federally operated museums to close their doors for 16 days. These actions by Congress ignore the economic impact of museums in communities nationwide.

• We urge Congress to amend the Anti-Deficiency Act to allow for the continuity of public access to our nation’s public lands and federally operated museums in the event of a funding gap.
• We oppose any effort to restrict the ability of zoos, aquariums or any other type of museum to compete for federal funding.
• We urge Congress to enact the CREATE Act (S. 661 and H.R. 1649) to support artists and entrepreneurs while bolstering the creative economy.

Download the PDF of the full Economy and Jobs Issue Brief

Supporting Letters and Testimony

• Alliance Joins U.S. Travel Association and Over 300 Other Groups to Oppose Elimination of Brand USA
• Alliance Joins Letters Urging President and Congress to Avert Federal Government Shutdown
• 12 Organizations Nominate National Park Service for Travel and Tourism Award
• Alliance Joins Over 300 Travel Organizations to Support Brand USA Reauthorization