STATE OF THE ARTS: 

Georgia’s Non-profit Arts Community Responds

to the Economic Crisis

Introduction

     Georgia Council for the Arts conducted an electronic survey of  more than two-hundred nonprofit arts contractors (not including schools, school districts, or government contractors) during the last week of January 2009.  Organizations surveyed include theatres, operas and chorales, ballet and other dance companies, museums, literary organizations, and many multi-discipline arts entities.  They all provide jobs and offer arts programming or festivals for Georgia’s residents and tourists.

     As a state agency, it is imperative that the impact of this recession on GCA-funded organizations is understood; the agency’s responsibility is to inform state leadership and the general public.  The media has focused on corporate layoffs, various industries such as banking and construction, and the state budget.  This survey was conducted to assess the impact of the economy's downturn on the arts and tourism industries as experienced by GCA-funded organizations. 

     Sixty non-profit arts organizations responded to the survey, providing a statewide snapshot.  They have annual operating budgets from $24,000 to over $20 million.  The smallest has one part-time employee; others operate solely with volunteers, while some have staff that number over 100.  These businesses served over  15.5 million participants last year, plus an additional 3.5 million K-12 students.

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