Abstract: Clearly defining the impact and mechanism of digital economy on the high-quality development of cultural industry is of great significance for promoting the high-quality development of cultural industry and Chinese modernization in the cultural field. Following the research context of the industrial chain, based on the research framework of "value chain-technology chain-enterprise chain-space chain", this study empirically examines the effects, patterns, and paths of digital empowerment for high-quality development based on provincial-level panel data from 2013 to 2020, and analyzes the impact of the digital economy on the high-quality development of the cultural industry. Research has found that the digital economy significantly enhances the high-quality development level of the cultural industry and has a non-linear characteristic of diminishing marginal returns. Mechanism analysis shows that the promotion effect of the digital economy on the high-quality development of the cultural industry is mainly achieved by increasing the protection of intellectual property rights, promoting the flow of innovative elements, and reducing transaction costs. Further analysis of the pilot areas, such as "Broadband China" areas, big data comprehensive pilot construction areas, and smart cities, reveals that the digital economy in policy tool pilot areas has a stronger driving effect on the high-quality development of cultural industries. In the future, the development of the cultural industry should seize the significant opportunities of digital transformation, promote the integration and innovation of cultural technology, and achieve the dual goals of cultural prosperity and economic growth through high-quality cultural supply.