Two new national studies, the National Endowment for the Arts 2008 Survey of Public Participation in the Arts and the League’s Audience Demographic Research Review, now offer statistically reliable national demographic information about audience participation.
The National Endowment for the Arts has recently released a “Research Note” highlighting some geographic differences in arts participation based on the 2008 Survey of Public Participation in the Arts (SPPA). While the full SPPA offers statistics for the U.S. as a whole and a few large regions, this report goes into more depth, including arts participation rates for 32 states.
In early 2009, the League asked McKinsey & Company to collect and analyze existing orchestra audience participation data in order to understand the impact of demographic trends on orchestras now and in the future. The League’s new Audience Demographic Research Review contains their report.
The Educational and Cultural Exchange programs of the U.S. State Department received $538 million for FY09. While it is not clear how much of this funding might be dedicated to the grant program that supports international cultural exchanges, this represents an overall increase for the program.
Just one year ago, performing arts organizations officially became eligible for disaster relief assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The League, together with the Performing Arts Alliance, worked with Congress and federal agencies to ensure that performing arts organizations in communities affected by disaster will have improved access to federal relief.
The Educational and Cultural Exchange programs of the U.S. State Department received a $59 million increase for FY08. While it is not clear how much of this funding might be dedicated to the grant program that supports international cultural exchanges, orchestras should take note of a current grant opportunity.
Congress has recognized the public value of performing arts organizations by addressing a significant inequity in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster relief policy. In response to concerns raised by the performing arts community, the FY07 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill included a provision adding nonprofit performing arts facilities to the list of organizations eligible for future FEMA disaster relief.
The purpose of this paper, prepared by the League’s Conducting Continuum Committee, is to clarify the roles of conductor and music director in American orchestras.