[Dixielandjazz] These turbulent times

[Stephen G Barbone]

Musicians and Band leaders may be interested in this survey taken by  
the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance. My band generates several  
gigs every year through non-profit cultural organizations like these.

Interesting to note that those venues which rely on ticket sales seem,  
so far, to be holding their own. However, those relying on investment  
income, or corporate grants to fund programs are experiencing  
declining support. Most of them are also cutting their programming  
expenses

Luckily, most of our gigs of this nature are ticket funded and so we  
neither lose them for lack of funds, nor are we asked to cut our fees  
for 2009. But, who knows what will happen in future. - SUPPORT THE ARTS.

Cheers,

Steve Barbone
www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband



January 30, 2009

Subject: REGION'S CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS ADAPTING TO TURBULENT TIMES

First quarterly survey gauges the impact of the economic climate on  
the region’s nonprofit arts and culture organizations

Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance Contact: John McInerney johnm at philaculture.org 
  215-399-3515


Philadelphia, PA – The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance today  
released the first results of TempCheck, a quarterly survey gauging  
the impact of the economic climate on the region’s nonprofit arts and  
culture organizations.  Ninety-two organizations representing a wide  
range of budget sizes and disciplines responded to a questionnaire  
assessing the effects of the economy on their fundraising,  
programming, and other activities.

“Cultural organizations are incredibly valuable to our communities,  
especially in times of stress and change,” said Peggy Amsterdam,  
President of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance. “This survey  
demonstrates that they are also adaptive and resilient in this current  
financial crisis.”

Findings of the survey include:

* Earned income from single tickets sales, subscriptions, and  
memberships is holding steady. Revenue from investments and other  
sources, however, is trending downward, with 24% of respondents  
reporting a decline of more than 25% in investments and other earned  
income. This issue is particularly acute in larger cultural  
organizations.

* On the whole organizations are not cutting back on the amount of  
their programming, but they are seeking ways to decrease program  
expenses.  Seventy-four percent of respondents haven't and don't  
expect to decrease program activity, yet 23% have already reduced  
budgets for their programs, and 51% expect to do so in the next six  
months. A quarter of respondents are altering their programming to  
lower costs, and 47% expect to do so in the next six months.

* Corporate support is declining, with 35% of respondents reporting  
less income from corporate donors.  This finding holds true across  
organizational disciplines and budget sizes.

* Investment in staffing, marketing and development is holding fairly  
steady, with just over a quarter (26%) of respondents having  reduced  
staff size or hours to lower costs, while the majority (67%) haven't  
and don't expect to at this time.  Organizations are continuing to  
invest in fundraising and marketing, but many are implementing  
different strategies to maximize the impact of those efforts.  "We  
have changed how we spend our marketing dollars," said one respondent,  
"with an increase in more direct marketing approaches and more  
aggressive advertising. To do this, we have diverted monies from  
collateral materials."  Regarding fundraising, another respondent  
stated that, "we are intensifying contact even with modest donors."

* Respondents expect that collaborations, mergers and consolidations  
will occur.  Forty-five percent of respondents have, or expect to,  
collaborate or consolidate programs or operations with another  
organization.

* More respondents felt things are likely to get worse rather than  
improve over the next six months.  Forty-two percent of respondents  
believe that things are likely to get worse over the next six months,  
while only 10% feel things are likely to get better.  Forty-eight  
percent say things are likely to stay the same. "We're just moving  
along and doing what we can right now during these tough times," noted  
one respondent. "Our goal is to continue to keep the arts alive and  
bring quality performances to the area."

The Cultural Alliance plans to field TempCheck on a quarterly basis to  
measure shifts over time.  The survey will be administered again in  
April 2009.  Full survey results available upon request.

On behalf of over 375 member organizations, the Cultural Alliance  
leads the effort to increase awareness of, participation in and  
support for arts and culture in the Greater Philadelphia region.

JOIN. CONTRIBUTE. PARTICIPATE. ADVOCATE. ATTEND. SUPPORT.