The creative economy delivers measurable returns in jobs and revenue while strengthening civic life and building healthier, safer, and more connected communities.
Why The Creative Economy Matter in Santa Barbara County
UCSB Economic Forecast Findings
Economic Output
in Santa Barbara County.
Annual County Tax Revenue
generated across Santa Barbara County.
Total State Tax Revenue
generated for California by creative economy activity across Santa Barbara County.
The Creative Workforce: Generating Jobs and Income Countywide
Creative workers, from independent freelancers to cultural nonprofits, are a vital part of Santa Barbara County’s economy. The creative workforce ranks among the County’s top ten employment sectors, comparable in scale to construction and manufacturing. These unique jobs are necessarily local and difficult to outsource or replace with artificial intelligence.
in labor income generated by the local creative workforce
total jobs across Santa Barbara County (UCSB)
of Santa Barbara County’s workforce is directly employed in the creative sector
higher wages than the countywide average are offered across many creative professions, reflecting strong job quality
self-employed, including freelancers, contractors, and independent businesses
2025 Economic Impact of the Creative Economy in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties
by UCSB Economic Forecast Project
Sources
UCSB Economic Forecast Project- 2025 Creative Economy Report
The 2020 Report on the Ventura and Santa Barbara Creative Economies
Otis Creative Economy Dashboard
Otis College Creative Economy Report
Americans for the Arts
Arts & Economic Prosperity 5
- The Economic Impact of Nonprofit Arts and Cultural Organizations and Their Audiences in Santa Barbara County, CA
- AEP 5 Detailed Data Table
Visit Santa Barbara- Visitors Spent $2.24 Billion in Santa Barbara
BEA Arts & Cultural Production Satellite Account
California Arts Council- Creative Economy of California
Public Policy Institute of California