Every year, approximately 11 percent of foundation giving – about $2.3 billion in 2009 – is awarded to nonprofit arts and cultural institutions. The distribution of these funds is demonstrably out of balance with our evolving cultural landscape and with the changing demographics of our communities. Current arts grantmaking disregards large segments of cultural practice, and by doing so, it disregards large segments of our society.
Arts Funding
Growing Philanthropy in the United States
In the United States, charitable giving is estimated to be around two percent of average household
disposable (after tax) income (Giving USA Foundation 2011). Regrettably, this is also the 40-year average
for this figure, indicating that, despite an increasing effort on the part of nonprofits (Sargeant and Jay
2010), individuals today are no more generous than their predecessors were over four decades ago. Thirty-two recommendations follow.
Legislative Appropriations Annual Survey, Fiscal Year 2012
The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) surveys state arts agencies twice yearly for updated appropriations and budget information. This report includes 2012 appropriations, other state arts agency revenue sources, trends over time, and per capita funding information. Non-NASAA members may purchase the full report.
Engaging the Now: Arguments, Research, and New Environments for the Arts
Following the staggered release of symposium sessions throughout 2010, WESTAF is pleased to release the final, complete proceedings of its symposium titled Engaging the Now: Arguments, Research, and New Environments for the Arts. The symposium convened in Aspen, Colorado in October, 2009. The proceedings feature a keynote presentation by Doug McLennan of ArtsJournal.com, a discussion about the efficacy of state film incentives, a dialogue about the state of arts education research and advocacy, a consideration of new economic arguments for the arts, a review of trends in youth engagement in creativity and the arts, a forum on rethinking the structure and scope of state arts agencies, and a discussion about cultural policy trends in Europe. In addition to McLennan, a wide range of speakers participated in the symposium discussion — from economists and economic development professionals to cultural policy leaders and academics.
Arts and the GDP: Value Added by Selected Cultural Industries
Cultural industries are economic powerhouses and states have the data to prove it, according to a new analysis from the National Endowment for the Arts. Drawing on data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Arts and the GDP: Value Added by Selected Cultural Industries is a new NEA research note that examines the value added by three selected cultural industries: (1) performing arts, sports, and museums; (2) motion pictures and sound recording; and (3) publishing (including software).
Combined, these three cultural industries contributed a total of $278.4 billion to the U.S. economy in 2009. The NEA research note also looks at dollars and jobs added to individual state economies by these cultural industries.
See Press Release
See REPORT (PDF)
Vibrant Culture, Vibrant City
Investment in our creative economy is a building force for [the San Diego] region. The nonprofit arts and culture organizations funded through the Commission’s organizational Support Program (oSP) have an important and vital impact on San Diego’s economy. These organizations stimulate the economy with over $173 million in direct expenditures, including $98.8 million in salaries. In fact, the 70 oSP organizations funded by the Commission constitute an important employment sector, supporting a workforce of more than 7,000. The arts not only create jobs, they provide a competitive advantage in attracting new businesses and a skilled workforce. In addition, 12,144 volunteers contribute time, talent and resources to arts and culture locally. REPORT
