Wyoming, often celebrated for its breathtaking landscapes, heritage of cowboy culture, and abundant natural resources, is on the brink of adding the vibrant arts scene to its list of attractions.
Despite ranking 48th in terms of the contribution of arts and cultural production to its economy in 2022, Wyoming has shown impressive growth, climbing to 25th place, as reported by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
The cultural and artistic endeavors added a remarkable $1.3 billion to Wyoming’s economy in the same year, indicating a promising upward trend.
Jason Shogren, holding the esteemed Stroock Chair of Natural Resource Conservation and Management at the University of Wyoming, acknowledges this significant growth. He highlights the challenge of fostering economic diversity in a state famed for its rich natural resources.
“Finding economic diversity in a resource-rich state is always challenging,” Shogren stated. “However, the further we advance in the arts, the more we’ll see individuals coming in to diversify our economy even more.”
The national scene for creative economies is brighter post-pandemic setbacks, with arts and cultural production contributing to over 4% of the national gross domestic product in 2022, showing nearly a 5% growth since 2021, according to data from the National Assembly of State Art Agencies.
The Wyoming Arts Alliance, along with other advocates, is taking proactive steps to boost artists’ exposure, particularly through tourism and related sectors.
Shogren emphasizes the distinct nature of navigating the arts scene in a rural, western context compared to the larger, more traditional art markets like New York or Los Angeles.
According to Shogren, “The creative energy in Wyoming is palpable, and it’s staggering how much talent resides in this quietly talented state.”
While quantifying the value of arts poses its challenges, Shogren is committed to acquiring better data on Wyoming’s creative economy to highlight its contributions more clearly and capture the attention of state legislators.
