Theaters, architecture firms, museums and other arts businesses are a key part of the economy in Atlanta, Georgia and throughout the country, a study released this month by the nonprofit Americans for the Arts shows.

Creative Industries 2008: The 50 City Report relied on Dun & Bradstreet data to rank cities and states by nonprofit and for-profit arts businesses, from symphonies to advertising companies.

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ARTSY CITIES Here are the top cities, by the numbers, for arts businesses in the United States. 1. New York -- 26,714 2. Los Angeles -- 18,160 3. Chicago -- 6,263 4. Houston -- 5,342 5. San Francisco - 4,837 6. San Diego -- 4,432 7. Dallas -- 4,297 8. Seattle -- 4,065 9. Austin, Texas -- 2,813 10. Phoenix -- 2,796 11. Philadelphia -- 2481 12. Nashville -- 2,454 13. Atlanta -- 2,430 14. Portland -- 2,427 15. Denver -- 2,417 Source: Creative Industries 2008: The 50 City Report by Americans for the Arts RELATED LINKS: Carlos Museum scores coup by bringing Tut to Atlanta Complete Atlanta arts coverage

The 2.98 million people working for 612,095 arts businesses nationwide represent 2.2 percent of jobs and 4.3 percent of businesses.

Georgia ranks 11th in the number of for-profit and nonprofit arts businesses and eighth in the number of arts employees statewide. Atlanta ranks 13th in the number of arts businesses located in a city.

The report's findings aren't a surprise, said David Mitchell, spokesman for Atlanta's Office of Cultural Affairs; the surprise is that some don't consider the impact the arts can have on the economy and tourism.

"This would make Atlanta an even more attractive place for corporations that are considering moving here, as well as businesses and residents," he said.

Creative Industries 2008: The 50 City Report is available online at www.AmericansforTheArts.org/CreativeIndustries.