Arts Funding: Growth and Change Between 1963 and 1983

Abstract

Between 1963 and 1983, not only was there a tremendous growth in the amount of money given to the arts by foundations, corporations, and government, but a substantial shift in the mix of these funds as well. While corporate support has remained a solidly important source, government funding has become increasingly important to the arts as foundation support has become less so. Given the dependence of arts organizations on these sources, the range of focus and purpose of their programs and their expectations for the future are important. A survey of private and corporate foundations and corporate giving programs highlights the hesitation of both of these groups to support artistic projects directly, experimental work, or newly established organizations. Additionally, both foundations and corporations have become more likely to fund administrative projects and arts service organizations. This range of focus of government support is very broad, but the purpose of this funding has been controversial. The short-term future of arts funding does not appear as dim as recently expected, and may bring increases.

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References

1. The Performing Arts: Problems and Prospects, A Rockefeller Panel Report on the Future of Theater, Dance, and Music in America (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1965), p. 8.

2. Ibid., p. 4.

3. Ibid., p. 112.

4. Ibid., p. 145.

5. David Cwi , City Arts Support: Status and Issues (Baltimore: Cultural Policy Institute, 1982).

6. Cultural Directory: Federal Funds and Services for the Arts and Humanities (Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution, 1980); this is the last volume of this book that was printed.

7. Based on figures reported to the American Association of Fund Raising Counsel, Inc., by the Conference Board.

8. The 226 corporate and private foundations surveyed between December 1982 and February 1983 were selected randomly from a group of arts funders provided by the Foundation Center. They were asked to supply information on a range of topics, including substantive area of arts giving; program rationales; dollar figures; purposes of grants; changes in program structure; grants to individuals; type of arts organizations supported; funding for the experimental or avantgarde; funding partnerships; and expectations for the future. Thirty replied that they did not have an arts program; 20 replied that due to a lack of staff they could not complete the questionnaire. Of the remainder, 94—57 percent—replied. The respondent group is broad and encompasses foundations of all sizes and locations: 13 percent make over $10 million in grants per year; 16 percent make $5-10 million in grants; 43 percent, $1-5 million in grants; and 29 percent make less than $1 million in grants. Surprisingly the respondent sample overrepresents smaller foundations. The Foundation Center reports the following statistics for size of foundation grants: 16 percent of the foundations listed in the Foundation Directory make over $10 million per year; 13 percent make $5-10 million; 56 percent make $1-5 million; and 14 percent make less than $1 million. Fifty-two percent of respondents are located in the 20 largest U.S. cities, and 48 percent in smaller cities and towns. The respondent population is somewhat biased toward large city foundations: 40 percent of those not responding are located in big cities and 60 percent are not.

9. The 97 corporate giving programs surveyed were selected randomly from those listed in Guide to Corporate Giving in the Arts, published by the American Council for the Arts. Nine replied that they did not give to the arts; of the remainder, 38—43 percent—replied. Thirty-four percent of respondents give more than $3 million away each year, 24 percent give $1-3 million; 21 percent give $500,000-$1 million per year; and 21 percent give less than $500,000 per year. Fifty-one percent of the respondents are located in the 20 largest U.S. cities, and 49 percent in smaller cities and towns. Respondents are biased toward large city programs just as are foundation respondents: 40 percent of those not responding are located in big cities and 60 percent are not.

10.

10. The Performing Arts, p. 207.

11.

11. National Report on the Arts (New York: National Committee for Cultural Resources, 1976), p. 25.

12.

12. Public and Private Support for the Arts in New York City (New York: Cultural Assistance Center, 1980), pp. 115-117.

13.

13. Ellen Thurston , A Preliminary Survey and Study of Management Assistance Programs (New York: Center for Arts Information, 1979), p. 7.

14.

14. The Performing Arts, p. 15.