In this paper SMU DataArts shares findings and observations about the working capital levels of arts and cultural organizations, with particular emphasis on BIPOC-serving organizations. They offer suggestions for grantmakers as they invest in the recovery and rebuilding efforts of their grantees. As cultural organizations adapt for an uncertain future, SMU DataArts recommends they undertake immediate planning to assess short-term liquidity needs and identify strategies for stabilizing and restoring healthier working capital post-pandemic.
The Arts and Culture Sector’s Contributions to Economic Recovery and Resiliency in the United States
In light of the current challenges facing the U.S. economy—unprecedented in many ways—the need to better understand the role of the arts sector has never been more acute. To do so, NASAA spearheaded a research effort in collaboration with Prof. Douglas S. Noonan of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and the Western States Arts Federation.
This collaborative research effort provides further evidence that arts and creative industries offer a powerful strategy for states and localities aiming to reignite economic growth. In addition to the healing value of the arts to communities and individuals, the arts have proven economic value and offer vital economic development strategies for diversifying and stimulating local economies in all types of communities.
How Do We Read? Let’s Count the Ways
This report uses data from the 2017 Survey of Public Participation in the Arts to characterize and compare adults who read books in print only, who read books electronically, and who listen to audiobooks.
In It for the Long Haul: How Arts and Cultural Organizations Can Consider Adapting
Aimed at helping arts and cultural organizations consider key questions and variables as they plan for reopening and a post-COVID-19 future, this report estimates the pandemic’s effect on the nonprofit arts sector and identifies three critical propositions and four prompting questions for consideration.
Our estimates draw on historical financial, operating, and attendance data, as well as reported near-term decisions and impact to date.[1] The estimated aggregate -$6.8 billion net effect of the COVID-19 crisis on the nonprofit arts and culture sector equates to a deficit equivalent to 26% of expenses for the average organization, over the course of a year.
This report underscores that COVID-19 has created unprecedented challenges and proposes specific steps that can be taken to address the crisis while orienting toward sustained action and resiliency. These steps reflect three propositions that any organization can develop and align in order to achieve success: its value proposition, revenue proposition, and people proposition. We argue that these steps have the potential to differentiate the organizations that not only weather the crisis but grow through it.
IllumiNative Toolkits
Join the movement and help lead the change to disrupt invisibility and toxic stereotypes that fuel bias and racism against Native peoples. IllumiNative’s toolkits are designed to empower Native advocates and allies to start the conversation in your community, school, and/or institution about the importance of accurate and contemporary representation of Native peoples and inclusion of Native voices.
Taking Note: Monitoring the Role of Freelancers and Small Businesses in the Arts Economy—and Early Signs of COVID-19 Impact
The COVID-19 pandemic has put American artists and arts organizations in the crosshairs of a severe economic contraction. Freelance arts workers and small arts businesses are among the most vulnerable. Especially now, it can be useful to quantify the role of self-employed workers and small businesses in the overall arts economy.
