Culture Chronicle

Arts Groups Remain Vulnerable in 2010
Crain's New York Business - May 26, 2010
By Miriam Kreinin Souccar

There are some signs the city's nonprofit arts industry is recovering from the recession, but many groups are still suffering, according to an annual survey.

There are some signs the city's nonprofit arts industry is recovering from the recession, but many groups are still suffering, according to an annual survey conducted by the Alliance for the Arts.

Out of 114 cultural institutions polled in January, 42% anticipate cancelling or postponing programs this year, the exact same amount as last year. And nearly 30% of the groups are postponing moves or capital projects this year compared to 25% last year.

On a more positive note, only 18% of the organizations are planning to lay off employees this year, compared to 38% last year, while 57% plan to defer new or replacement hires in 2010 compared with 65% in 2009.

The fiscal crisis is still taking a toll. More than 60% of groups said they are reducing their budgets this year by an average of 14%. Last year, 70% of the groups cut their budgets by an average of 17%.

"The lasting effects of the recession are not good news, since they mean fewer jobs in the arts industry and fewer public programs," said Randall Bourscheidt, president of the Alliance, a research and advocacy organization for nonprofit culture in New York City. "However, the new survey indicates moderate improvements since last year, which we believe demonstrates good management and resilience of organizations in the face of severe financial challenges."

Of the majority of the organizations surveyed, 76%, were in Manhattan; 13% were in Brooklyn; 7% in Queens; 4% in the Bronx; and 2% on Staten Island. For the full article, click here 

To read the report, click here