It’s our story, let’s tell it.

PA CultureCheck is a study by PA Humanities and the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance to gather the voices of Pennsylvania’s cultural, arts, and humanities organizations, along with other nonprofits and community groups. The two primary goals were to continue tracking the post-pandemic recovery and regrowth and to look deeper at the many ways organizations are engaging with their communities. The results inform local and statewide advocacy efforts, educate grantmakers and practitioners about the latest trends, inspire future research, and help build a stronger and more responsive cultural community.

Now in its second year and expanded to include virtual listening sessions, the results of PA CultureCheck reveal that the cultural sector is still feeling the effects of the pandemic but continues to be a powerful asset to economic development with many opportunities for growth. The future of this sector lies not in its past, but how we move forward from here.

Data highlights

  • 271 survey responses from all areas of the state, with responses reflecting the geographic and demographic diversity of Pennsylvania
  • Attendance approximately 20% down from 2019, with varying degrees of impact across organization type; performing arts organizations especially affected
  • Operations returning to normal but hiring and volunteer participation especially challenging, with 59% of organizations reporting hiring difficulties
  • Cultural organizations are embedded in communities – 96% partner with community organizations, addressing issues like education (72%), access and inclusion (58%), community development (33%), and mental health and wellness (29%)
  • During listening sessions, organizations reported seeking innovative ways to work and interact with audiences. New challenges like inflation and audience members commuting to work/downtown less frequently have arisen.

What we learned

  • The arts and humanities community is expansive and diverse, including many different kinds of organizations with unique assets and interests.
  • Collectively, they drive innovation and growth in our communities and economies.
  • Increased funding and support from businesses, philanthropy, governments, and the media is essential to reflect our art and humanities community’s significant economic contribution and national prominence.
  • Our sector amplifies our community’s unique cultural identity and functions as powerful connectors by building bridges, lifting missing voices, and maintaining crucial partnerships in an often divided state.
  • Now is the time for cultural workers to redefine our moment and to discover new ways to grow audiences, engage on a deeper level, and develop new partnerships.

PA CultureCheck in the news

WHO PARTICIPATED?

Various organizations from communities of all sizes across the state participated in PA CultureCheck. In total, the results and sample size of the organizations are representative of Pennsylvania’s culture sector. In addition to the survey, in fall 2023 we held two listening sessions of arts and cultural community members (many of whom had completed the survey) to hear additional feedback and input on this study: one held with arts and culture leaders and workers from across the state, and one held specifically focusing on Southeastern PA.

  • 271 participating organizations from across Pennsylvania
  • 22% more organizations participated than in 2022
  • 74% having an annual budget under $1.5 million
  • The responses received across the geographic regions of Pennsylvania were consistent with population sizes
  • 22% rural organizations and 17% BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) organizations, both close to the state’s demographic makeup

Takeaway

PA CultureCheck illustrates the expansiveness and diversity of Pennsylvania’s cultural sector. Its vital work touches and inspires our communities and grows our economies in many ways, such as through historical sites, zoos, arts centers, and libraries. During our listening sessions, cultural workers were eager to connect with each other and share their experiences and learnings. This shows the need for increasing opportunities for regional and statewide collaboration. Data on the sector from PA CultureCheck and other sources is vital for making informed, strategic decisions.

Project Timeline

May & June 2023
Survey conducted

July – August 2023
Data analysis

August – September 2023
Preliminary data to key stakeholders

October 17 & 18
Listening Sessions

November 1, 2023
Presentation to PA Arts & Humanities Statewide Convening

December
Incorporate community feedback

February 2024
Final report release

Participating Organizations By Type

No Data Found

Organization Type

Libraries & Archives

69

Historical Museums & Societies

45

Art, Science, & Other Museums

25

Performing Arts

53

Community & Education

43

Service, Support, & Other

28

Media

8

51% (139) of all participating organizations are Museums, Historical Organizations, and Libraries.

ATTENDANCE

Many organizations continue to regain audiences but uncertainty remains about the “new normal” and what the future holds. Some areas of the sector have seen unique shifts and patterns of growth, with performing arts and museums adapting and building in different ways and rates.

  • Sector-wide the median organization still reports an approximately 20% decline in attendance compared to 2019
  • These effects are not evenly distributed — performing arts organizations are more affected, with only 23% report having fully regained attendance, compared to 45% of museums and historical organizations
  • 36% of organizations report that their attendance is “back to or above 2019 levels,” compared with 11% in the 2022 survey
  • 25% of respondents replied that they are unsure when attendance might fully recover
  • During listening sessions, organizations, especially in the performing arts, noted that much of the recovery of attendees comes from single ticket buyers, with subscriber levels not recovering, possibly accelerating a trend away from subscribers occurring over the last few decades
  • During listening sessions, organizations adapted programming and identified new audiences during the pandemic as work habits and locations changed; they are seeking ways to keep those gains while bringing back past audiences and events

Takeaway

Pennsylvania’s resilient cultural sector is working to innovatively navigate the aftermath of the pandemic and new inflationary pressures. Some organizations have reached or surpassed their pre-pandemic attendance levels, but the path to a full recovery is complex and multifaceted. This period of transformation is characterized by adaptive strategies and necessary adjustments. For example, the performing arts are now attracting more single ticket buyers instead of subscribers, indicating a shift from traditional models. Across the cultural sector, organizations are responding to changing audience behaviors and preferences against the backdrop of a challenging financial landscape. The sector’s ability to continue thriving hinges on greater overall support from the public, philanthropy, business, government, and media while recognizing the unique challenges and recovery paths of different cultural organizations.

"When do you expect attendance to return to 2019 levels?"

Results compared: 2022 to 2023

No Data Found

Percentage of Organizations with Attendance Back to/Above 2019 Levels

By organization type

No Data Found

Historical Museums & Societies and Art, Science, & Other Museums are combined here as Museums & Historical. Media organizations not shown; no significant in-person attendance reported.

OPERATIONS

Top concerns are the ability to gain or retain attendance, encourage community participation, and hire new staff. While we heard in the listening sessions that organizations are working to innovate and develop new business models and ways of working, they are now grappling with inflation and new costs of doing business with fewer volunteers and staff.

  • Only 23% of organizations report that their programs are operating at reduced capacity, compared with 33% of organizations in 2022
  • 59% of organizations report difficulty in hiring
  • 46% of organizations report a reduced number of volunteers. This effect is not evenly distributed — a larger percentage of libraries (55%) report a reduction compared to a lower percentage of performing art organizations (30%)
  • During the listening sessions, a frequent comment was that, over the last year, organizations have faced increased inflationary pressures
  • Gaining/retaining attendance and community participation is a top concern according to polls in the listening session and the sector is looking for ways to collaborate on promotion and develop relations with the media, business, and local government to rebrand their community’s assets

Takeaway

Cultural workers need space, time, and capital to innovate. In light of the evolving landscape, operations within the sector must be agile and forward-thinking. Organizations are called upon to balance innovation with sustainable practices to ensure resilience in the face of economic and societal shifts. Hiring and volunteer recruitment are persistent issues and are taking a toll on an already stretched sector and cultural workers’ well being. Embracing collaboration, diversification of staffing and audiences, and finding new ways to engage volunteers to build capacity will be key in maintaining relevance and impact. There is a need for stronger media collaboration and partnerships with business and local government to aid in community and economic development, as well as promotional efforts. Organizations find themselves needing to be more flexible and innovative in their operational strategies, such as building new marketing for single-ticket buyers or scaling back on the number of productions.

"How has hiring been?"

No Data Found

Somewhat or very difficult

59%

About the same

25%

Somewhat or very easy

11%

Other / Unsure

5%

"How many volunteers at your organization compared to 2019?"

No Data Found

Listening Session: What Are Your Biggest Challenges Right Now?*

No Data Found

Attendance and community participation

68%

No Data Found

Funding and donations

68%

No Data Found

Capacity and hiring staff

30%

* Results of combined instant polls conducted during the live listening sessions over Zoom

COMMUNITY IMPACT

Cultural organizations are engaged with and addressing the needs of their communities in many ways, such as supporting job training, youth education, and health and wellness. Their audiences are diverse and often include immigrants, veterans, unhoused, incarcerated, and victims of gun violence. Arts and culture workers bridge gaps, forge connections, and form meaningful partnerships, particularly in challenging times.

  • Cultural organizations are embedded in communities – 96% partner with community organizations, addressing issues like education (72%), access and inclusion (58%), community development (33%), and mental health and wellness (29%)
  • Many work with students in multiple locations: 72% of organizations work with students on school premises and 81% of organizations work with students in the organizations’ facilities
  • One third of cultural organizations (33%) directly engage in economic development activities
  • During the listening sessions, it was reported that building community identity and pride are integral to the role of cultural institutions. The contributions to a sense of place and community cohesion was highlighted, especially in terms of engaging new residents and reflecting the diversity of the community
  • Discussions also highlighted the importance of uplifting diverse voices and stories and focused on the role of cultural institutions in promoting diversity and inclusion within their communities

Takeaway

The cultural sector actively addresses social and educational issues while helping to grow thriving, economically vibrant communities. Cultural work plays a key role in areas such as neighborhood revitalization, youth engagement, public safety, and health and wellness. In challenging times, the sector is instrumental in amplifying underrepresented voices, leading with equity, and creating inclusive spaces where everyone feels a sense of belonging. Organizations note the need to re-engage with local communities and attract new, more diverse audiences, with a greater emphasis on inclusivity and broadening the reach of cultural activities. By providing opportunities to connect and learn while helping to fuel our economy, the cultural sector contributes to the health, well-being, and support of our recovering communities. This is also critical for shaping social cohesion, cultural identity, and civic vitality. However, the economic and creative assets and potential that the sector brings to revitalizing our communities are underutilized and under-recognized.

"Which social issues does your organization address in its work?"

No Data Found

96% of organizations partner with community organizations, an increase of 9% from previous year

Listening Session: Community impact of your work?*

71%

Educational & cultural opportunities

51%

Uplifting diverse voices and stories

40%

Economic development

31%

Building identity and local pride

* Results of combined instant polls conducted during the live listening sessions over Zoom

CALL TO ACTION

PA CultureCheck emphasizes the resilience, adaptability, and innovation of Pennsylvania’s cultural sector — but also the need for continued support. Here are three ways you can help:

Advocate: Show your support for the cultural sector by contacting your elected officials to encourage additional funding, policies, and support for cultural initiatives. Request supportive policies, increased recognition, and greater allocation of funding.

Engage: When possible, contribute financially to cultural organizations, artists, and projects. Offer your time and skills to assist in activities and events, including board membership roles.

Promote: Contact media organizations and ask for greater coverage of the cultural sector. Through your own networks, amplify local events and share information about the sector’s significant role in community enrichment, economic development, education, and well-being.

Thank you to all our PA CultureCheck participants

Additional thanks to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, the Office of Commonwealth Libraries (Pennsylvania Department of Education), the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, PA Museums, Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania, and advisors Kristi Poling and Genna Styles-Lyas.

PA CultureCheck is made possible by financial support from people like you. Join the movement — donate to PA Humanities today!

For questions about the PA CultureCheck, please contact Nick Crosson at ncrosson@pahumanities.org.

Funding for PA CultureCheck has been provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities.