Overall, however, the report suggests that the arts sector is slowly recovering from the recession. The number of Americans volunteering for the arts grew from 1.8 million in 2010 to 2 million in 2011, an 11% spike. Arts employment remained steady and the average annual salary for arts professionals kept pace with inflation, reaching $52,000. 

The report’s authors emphasize that anecdotal evidence and recent economic data suggest that the arts industry has grown healthier since 2011. Roland Kushner, an economist who co-authored the report, says in a statement: “We’ve seen broad improvements in the economy, employment and philanthropy since 2011, all of which suggest that the arts are poised for higher index scores in years to come.”