PA Cultural Recovery & Regrowth Survey

A joint project of PA Humanities, Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, and PA Museums

How has the pandemic impacted Pennsylvania's cultural sector?

In mid-2022, PA Humanities and its partners conducted the Pennsylvania Cultural Recovery & Regrowth Survey exploring COVID-19’s impact on the cultural sector and how organizations are supporting recovery and growth. 222 organizations from communities of all sizes across the state participated.

 

Together we learned that the cultural sector:

  • continues to be affected by the pandemic, especially revenue & attendance (performing arts was hit hardest)
  • creatively adapted, finding new ways to engage audiences/keep people connected
  • is not expecting normalcy until at least 2023
  • is embedded in our social fabric and sustains vital services and relationships
  • needs additional funding to fully recover

 

Explore our findings below >

"The longer-term effects of COVID continue to impact museums and the economy, in terms of staff shortages, a struggle to return to pre-COVID revenue levels, and a focus on survival rather than sustainability. "
"The pandemic demanded a kind of flexibility and adaptability that was previously hard to imagine, but [we] and many other arts institutions were able to transform challenges into opportunities."
[The cultural sector] pivoted and achieved newfound presences online, through virtual programming, virtual exhibitions, and social media. Many learned new ways to develop and produce content, and experimented with new forms of audience engagement. Lessons learned through these endeavors will no doubt serve organizations well now, and into the future."
"The longer-term effects of COVID continue to impact museums and the economy, in terms of staff shortages, a struggle to return to pre-COVID revenue levels, and a focus on survival rather than sustainability. "
"The pandemic demanded a kind of flexibility and adaptability that was previously hard to imagine, but [we] and many other arts institutions were able to transform challenges into opportunities."

COVID-19 had a greater impact than the Great Recession and hit performing arts organizations hardest.

-12%

Great Recession revenue decline
(2008-2010)

-34%

COVID-19 revenue decline
(2020-2022)

-13%

museum jobs (currently)

-24%

performing arts jobs (currently)

Cultural orgs continued to sustain important community relationships.

partner with community organizations

87%

partner with K-12 schools

65%

partner with parks or rec centers

47%

27% of organizations partner with Food Pantries, Community Gardens, Farmers Markets

When do they expect to return to pre-pandemic levels of activity?

How has their capacity changed?

Change in Capacity

Reduced Capacity (less programs/staff)

33

Normal Capacity (same programs/staff)

29

Increased Capacity (more programs/staff)

22

Modified Capacity or other (different programs/staff)

16

Museums / Historical sites employment impact

 

74% of surveyed organizations have budgets under $1.5 million.

Size of Organization

Under $150,000

61

$150,000 – $499,999

60

$500,000 – $1,499,999

43

$1,500,000 – $4,999,999

25

$5,000,000 – $9,999,999

12

$10,000,000 and above

12

N/A or unknown

9

Counties with Survey Participants

Participating Organizations

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