GCDN is pleased to present AEA Consulting’s 2022 Cultural Infrastructure Index. Established in 2016, the Index seeks to measure investment in capital projects in the cultural sector globally, identifying projects with a budget of US$10 million or more that were publicly announced or completed within a calendar year.

An analysis of 2022 data shows that the volume of global investments in cultural projects has returned to pre-pandemic levels. In total, the 185 projects completed in 2022 represented $7.8 billion in investment and the estimated cost for the 225 newly announced projects is valued at $7.3 billion. With the Index now in its seventh edition, a long-term view indicates that this growth will likely continue, even following a post-Covid rebound in 2021 which saw a record number of completed and announced projects.

The Index provides information on the number, type, location, and budgets of cultural infrastructure projects announced and completed every year, tracking trends across project types as well as uses, geographical spread and year-on-year changes.

This year’s Index also provides a closer look at the rise of immersive and digital cultural experiences, examining the specific needs and opportunities of purpose-built venues. Recent projects include Meow Wolf’s interactive supermarket in Las Vegas, Culturespaces’ Fabrique des Lumières in Amsterdam, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, and Lightroom and ABBA Arena, both in London.

Explore AEA’s findings in the 2022 Cultural Infrastructure Index.