Why Do Audiences Care About Arts and Culture? -- An Upcoming National Survey
Culture + Community is a national research initiative meant to keep the cultural sector in dialogue with the experiences and needs of its communities, audiences, and participants during the pandemic and beyond. The findings coming out of an upcoming national survey to provide the field with actionable insights toward becoming more equitable spaces and active participants within their own communities’ respective movements for social and racial justice. Below is more information about how to participate, the national and Massachusetts studies, as well as links to the national study’s website.
Led by the Barr Foundation's Director of Arts and Creativity San San Wong, an upcoming national survey seeks to obtain input on the pandemic. "The disruptions of 2020 raised at least three burning questions for our arts communities: Why do audiences care about the arts and culture? Under what conditions will they “return” to the arts? How have the values and behavior of my audiences and communities changed, and how well do my organization’s activities align?" Suzuki School of Newton seeks to broaden our already diverse community by working to make change and take steps toward a more equitable and inclusive environment.
Please consider planning to participate in the survey. In return, SSN will receive data about our audience, and can benchmark our audience against the Massachusetts and national samples. In order to reach as many audiences and community members, especially those who are BIPOC and immigrant, the researchers have gathered many community arts organization to participate: artists, community influencers, cultural groups, creative entrepreneurs, incorporated organizations, as well as those with networks such as churches, restaurants, social service agencies, community clinics, sororities, fraternities, entertainment firms, etc. We hope that Massachusetts’ many diverse community voices, assets and needs are represented.
After a first wave study in 2020 on the effects of the pandemic on hundreds of arts organizations, four foundations have joined together to support a second wave of this research in 2021: the Wallace Foundation, Barr Foundation, William Penn Foundation, and Terra Foundation. The goals of the project were expanded to include informing the sector’s racial reckoning and efforts to decolonize and democratize. The report on this study can be found here.
And now a new wave of the national survey, now with an even broader frame for culture (from public libraries to indie music venues) and deeper involvement with small, BIPOC-lead cultural and community organizations. Participating organizations like the Suzuki School of Newton will not only be contributing to the national picture for the field, but we’ll also get back data specific to our geographic region and audiences. Look for our survey some time after the week of April 5th. We need your help to participate in this all important question of not only bringing back our audiences, but also realizing our vision for diversity and inclusion as we expand our audiences.
Sachiko Isihara
Executive Director