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 December 2003 Arts groups on rebound, survey says Ticket sales and contributions are picking up steam, according to the Crain's/DHR International Chicago Cultural Confidence Index, a survey of leading institutions like the Field Museum and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The survey shows that 44% of the 41 institutions responding (survey responses are anonymous) saw attendance rise during the last six months of 2003, compared with the first six months. A year ago, 31% reported an increase. "We've seen a definite (rise) in ticket sales," says Roche Schulfer, executive director of the Goodman Theatre, whose ticket sales climbed 5% this fall over the same period last year. "The trend has reversed," says James Abruzzo, managing director of Chicago-based executive search firm DHR's non-profit practice and author of the survey. "I think there's a clear relationship between the overall economy and the cultural business. People in Chicago are much more optimistic about the economy. "Cultural groups are keeping their optimism in check, however. Despite the rise in attendance, 52% of the institutions surveyed expect an increase in the next six months, down from 56% a year ago. The Chicago Children's Choir recently performed a sold-out pre-holiday concert for 1,400 people who paid $15 to $45 for tickets. It was the largest audience in the group's 47-year history. "That was almost double the audience we had last year," says choir President Nancy Carstedt. "That tells us something is happening. "The Children's Choir, like other arts groups, saw donations and attendance slip after the Sept. 11 attacks and in the subsequent economic downturn. Like many non-profits, it has had to seek new ways to keep the money flowing. The choir opened a Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shop on West Randolph Street this past summer, in a partnership with the ice cream company that enables the choir to take 100% of the profits. About half of the choir's income is derived from private donations, grants and gifts. "We have noticed a significant number of new donors recently, and many of our donors are giving larger amounts," Ms. Car-stedt says. Her group's experience is indicative of that of other arts organizations that participated in the survey. But while 61% reported an increase in fund raising, donations from large contributors are slower in coming. "Foundation budgets and corporate budgets are still down," says Valerie S. Lies, president of the Donors Forum of Chicago, an association of Chicago-area grantmakers. The Terra Museum of Art reported that attendance was up about 6% to 85,000 during the fiscal year ended June 30. A big draw was a yearlong exhibition of modern artists. Donald Ratner, the Terra's executive vice-president and chief financial officer, hadn't expected attendance to rise. "I was proved wrong. I think we're on a slow upgrade," he says. "But I continue to be a fiscal pessimist. "While individual ticket sales are up at the Goodman, people are still reluctant to commit to buying series subscriptions. "Our goal is to get people to lay out large amounts of cash at the beginning of the season," Mr. Schulfer says. "But there are so many choices. We have a fabulous theatrical city. There are a lot of choices and possibilities." ##### |
