Arts Orgs Increasingly Struggle to Break Even, NCAR Report Finds

The National Center for Arts Research (NCAR) at Southern Methodist University has released a report detailing financial health of arts organizations in the US. The report examines organizational bottom lines using data collected from over 4,800 organizations between 2013 and 2016. Overall, the report shows that it has become increasingly difficult for arts and cultural organizations to break even, a trend that is particularly alarming given the current period of economic growth in the US.

The Bottom Line Report examines trends by organizational size, sector, and geography. Following earlier data releases on marketing and fundraising trends, staffing, and expenses, this is the latest edition of NCAR’s reports on the US cultural sector, which provide information that allows arts leaders to benchmark and make evidence-based decisions to overcome challenges and increase their impact.

Read the report.