From the Field

Performing Arts Ticket Sales and Vaccination Rates

SMU/DataArts has published a follow-up study on how vaccination rates may affect performing arts ticket sales through March 2022. When Will Arts Attendance Return? replicates a study that examined ticket sales data in 2021. This updated study examined 51 performing arts organizations across the country. It shows their ticket sales increasing as the pandemic eased and vaccination rates went up, with three models showing how sales of tickets could be expected to improve based on different vaccination rates.

Proof of Vaccination Required?

IMPACTS Experience has just published the results of a new a survey, Proof of Vaccination Requirements: Do Visitors to Cultural Entities Want Them? It shows the evolving attitudes of the public toward vaccination requirements for attending cultural events. 57% of adult Americans and 71% of likely visitors now believe cultural entities should require visitors to show proof of vaccination. This is up from 48% of likely visitors preferring vaccine requirements last September. A closer look reveals that 69% of visitors to exhibits want a vaccination requirement, while a higher 74% of visitors to performances want the same. The article stresses that organizations must consider multiple factors—of which this is one—when deciding on best practices for health and safety in their community.

Pandemic Support from Massachusetts Creative Youth Programs

Mass Cultural Council has published a new report, Carrying Community through COVID, on how its Creative Youth Development (CYD) programs adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic. The final reporting from more than 70 CYD organizations in fiscal years 2021 and 2022 shows that they played an integral role in their communities: serving as points of connection, pivoting to online learning services, and holistically supporting the basic needs of youth and their families. Looking ahead, CYD organizations expect to continue providing hybrid virtual programming and supporting basic needs.

Updated Federal Resource Guides from AFTA

Americans for the Arts (AFTA) has recently updated its series of Federal Resource Guides. The guides provide an overview of federal funding opportunities available for nonprofit arts organizations across six areas: community development, rural development, national service, congressional earmarks, environmental protection and economic development. Each resource also provides examples and case studies of arts organizations that have previously received pertinent federal funding as well as tips to support more successful applications.