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In September and October of 2001, AMS
Planning and Research, in cooperation with seven national arts
service
organizations including Dance/USA, conducted an online survey of
arts presenting and performing entities.
This survey addressed the impact of the September 11 attack in New
York. A total of 833 arts organizations in
many disciplines responded, including 77 members of Dance/USA. AMS
plans to release aggregate data at a
later time to the organizations that participated in the survey,
but we are posting our own overview of the data
from the Dance/USA respondents.
General Conclusions:
- The September 11 attack had immediate and significant impact
on many arts organizations,
especially relating to performances scheduled for the weeks beginning
September 10 and September 17.
- Mid-term and long-term impact is less clear. Follow-up surveys
after 90 days and after
six months seem necessary.
- Numerous arts organizations perceive a negative impact on arts
funding, especially government support and
corporate grants, as funds are redirected to relief efforts and
security.
Some Highlights:
- For the two weeks following the attack, 15 organizations reported
canceling 24 out of 33 scheduled
performances with an estimated aggregate dollar loss of $135,200.
These figures show a higher rate
of cancellation (73%) than reported by the total sample of 833
organizations. In the full sample, 37% of
events were cancelled.
- More than one-third of Dance/USA members programmed special
events or fund-raisers in response
to the attack, in line with arts organizations overall. (39% of
Dance/USA respondents vs. 37.5% of overall
respondents.)
- Dance/USA respondents were less likely to report declines in
attendance subsequent to the attack than
the overall sample reported. (32% D/USA reported some or substantial
declines vs. over 50% for overall.)
- Seven dance companies reported having touring plans affected,
generally by cancellations or postponements.
Other impacts mentioned by respondents included programming (“accessible”
vs. “darker” work now preferred)
and logistics (more time required for travel, etc.).
- Advance ticket and subscription sales for dance seem less damaged
than many might have feared. 47% of
respondents indicated no change or actual increases in these sales
since September 11 (about one-third of
the overall group reported no change or an increase). Only 14%
of Dance/USA respondents reported actual declines.
- The dance field is apparently pessimistic about future and continuing
impact. A total of 88% of Dance/USA
respondents expect impact for the rest of this year (77% for overall
group) and 71% of Dance/USA respondents
expect impact continuinginto next year (57% for overall group).
- About 26-28% of the 833 organizations responding answered “Yes”
to the question, “Are you taking any
additional security measures.” Dance/USA respondents are in line
with this rate of response.
Future Reports
As indicated above, results of various kinds will be forthcoming
from AMS to the organizations participating in the survey.
In addition Dance/USA will continue to keep you up to date on details
from the dance field.
Information about potential impact of the September 11 attack on future giving. |
