Washington: Surveys and Webinar

Adaptability and leadership remain critical to arts organizations during the recession, according to new research released by the Washington State Arts Commission (WSAC). In 2009, WSAC (with Helicon Collaborative) and the Seattle-based ArtsFundconducted parallel studies on the economic recession’s impact on cultural organizations in Washington state. WSAC’s report, Arts and Recession: The Economic Recession’s Impact on Cultural Organizations in Washington State, measures the effects of the recession on cultural organizations across all of Washington. The study included small organizations that may be particularly vulnerable to resource fluctuations. Because the new studies build on similar research conducted in February 2009 and December 2008, the latest reports allow WSAC and other arts funders in the region to understand how the effects of the recession are evolving over time. In early September, WSAC and ArtsFund held an on-line interactive conference call, “Arts and the Recession,” to discuss the findings. For additional information, see the reports linked above or contact WSAC Communications Manager Mark Gerth.