Archive Report
Archive Report
New Sources of Cultural Support
Financial Plight From Popularity of Arts
It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. That's how the American artistic community may remember the 1970s. Support for the arts from both private and public sources has never been greater. Attendance at all cultural events is booming. Yet in the face of growing demand and support, many arts groups are deeply in debt and some have been forced to reduce or abandon their activities.
The financial plight of the arts reflects their built-in handicaps. The growing popularity of the arts means that cultural organizations must provide more services to the community. That, in turn, means more performers and staff, for arts and cultural organizations are “labor intensive.” Many of the ...