The NEA has released their 2008 Survey of Public Participation in the Arts. (Click here for a PDF of the whole report.) This quote is from the Preface: "The 2008 survey results are, at a glance, disappointing. As reported in Arts Participation 2008, a summary brochure of the survey's findings, a smaller segment of the adult population either attended arts performances or visited art museums or galleries than in any prior survey." Not good.
The study shows a declining percentage of adults attending performing arts events from previous years, in disciplines across the board. Graying audiences, lower levels of arts education, increased competition for audiences' time and attention from the internet and digital media, economic constraints.
For those of us who care about live arts, what can be done? How can this be addressed?
Adam Huttler, the Executive Director of Fractured Atlas, attended the NEA presentation event in DC, and offers insights here about the report, its long-term ramifications and one strategy to address it.