There was a 25.9% increase in creative sector employment between 2010 and 2018; however, creative sector employment declined by 15.5% from 2018 to 2019. Employment in the sector again declined by 18% between 2019 and 2020, much of which can be attributed to the cancellation of events and the closing of many local arts institutions (both temporary and permanent) due to the COVID-19 crisis. In 2020, employment in creative industries was the lowest it has been since tracking this measure began in 2010.
An August 2020 report from the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institute details creative industries as one of the hardest hit industries during the COVID-19 crisis with estimated losses of 32.8% of jobs and 11% in sales/economic impact in the San Antonio metropolitan area.
Increase the number employed in creative industries by 50% (33,801 by 2030)
| Year | Value | Margin of Error |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 21,200 | |
| 2011 | 20,785 | |
| 2012 | 20,496 | |
| 2013 | 20,801 | |
| 2014 | 21,736 | |
| 2015 | 22,235 | |
| 2016 | 20,363 | |
| 2017 | -- | |
| 2018 | 26,684 | |
| 2019 | 22,534 | |
| 2020 | 18,436 |
Individuals Employed in Creative Industries
Steve Nivin, PhD, SABÉR Research Institute at St. Mary's University
San Antonio MSA
Creative occupations are categorized by 45 6-digit NAICS codes.
