Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance and PA Humanities Analyze Pandemic Recovery, Community Engagement in Latest PA CultureCheck Study

Survey finds attendance lags 22% behind 2019 levels in Southeastern Pennsylvania; 95% of cultural, arts, or humanities organizations partner with community organizations to deliver programs 

PHILADELPHIA (February 26, 2024) – The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance (“Cultural Alliance”) and PA Humanities today released the results of their joint PA CultureCheck study, which shine a light on the pandemic recovery progress and community engagement efforts of cultural, arts, and humanities organizations. The full results can be found at PAHumanities.org/CultureCheck. 

“It’s encouraging to see that organizations are continuing to rebound from the pandemic, even compared to our 2022 survey. But it’s clear that we still have a long road ahead to ensure a strong future for our arts and culture sector,” said Patricia Wilson Aden, President & CEO, Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance. “A healthy creative sector has a profound ripple effect in communities and economies across the state. This data illustrates that fact, but it also highlights the far-reaching potential that could be gained by working in collaboration with the allied industries and individuals who benefit from the positive impact of arts and culture.” 

“We know that cultural, arts, and humanities organizations are doing more than just contributing to the vibrancy of Pennsylvania. They are centers of innovation, creativity, learning, and progress. PA CultureCheck helps us quantify this change,” said Laurie Zierer, Executive Director, PA Humanities. “These organizations are getting creative with solutions to the real problems facing our communities—another proof point that the arts and culture sector is worth of steady, stable funding to continue their work.” 

The PA CultureCheck study is based on a survey of 271 organizations from across Pennsylvania, including 112 organizations in Southeastern PA, conducted in May and June 2023. After preliminary data was presented to cultural and civic leaders, the Cultural Alliance and PA Humanities also conducted community listening sessions in October 2023 to collect additional context and anecdotal evidence to support the study. 

PENNSYLVANIA STATEWIDE FINDINGS 

Attendance 

• Across all organizations, median attendance is down 20% compared to 2019. 25% of respondents replied that they are unsure when attendance might fully recover. 
• 36% of organizations report that their attendance is “back to or above 2019 levels,” compared with only 11% in the 2022 survey. 
• Recovery varies based on organization type: Performing arts organizations are more affected, with only 23% reporting having fully regained attendance, compared to 45% for museums, historical organizations, and libraries. 

Operations 

• Only 23% of organizations report that their programs are operating at reduced capacity, compared with 33% of organizations in 2022. 
• 46% of organizations report a reduced number of volunteers. A larger proportion of libraries (55%) report a reduction compared to a smaller proportion of performing art organizations (30%). 
• 59% of organizations report difficulty in hiring. 

Community Impact 

• Cultural organizations are embedded in the fabric of their communities: 96% partner with community organizations, addressing issues like education, access and inclusion, youth development, and mental health and wellness. 
• 79% of organizations partner with schools. Of these, almost a third (31%) work with ten or more schools. 
• One third of cultural organizations (33%) directly engage in economic development activities 

SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA REGIONAL FINDINGS 

Attendance 

• Across all organizations, median attendance is down 22% compared to 2019. 29% of respondents replied that they are unsure when attendance might fully recover. 
• 32% of organizations report that their attendance is “back to or above 2019 levels,” compared with only 10% in the 2022 survey. 
• Recovery varies based on organization type: Performing arts organizations are more affected, with only 15% reporting having fully regained attendance, compared to 41% for museums, historical organizations, and libraries. 

Operations 

• Only 21% of organizations report that their programs are operating at reduced capacity, compared with 33% of organizations in 2022. 
• 46% of organizations report a reduced number of volunteers. A larger proportion of libraries (55%) report a reduction compared to a smaller proportion of performing art organizations (30%). 
• 58% of organizations report difficulty in hiring. 

Community Impact 

• Cultural organizations are embedded in the fabric of their communities: 95% partner with community organizations, addressing issues like education, access and inclusion, youth development, and mental health and wellness. 
• 79% of organizations partner with schools. Of these, almost a third (32%) work with ten or more schools. 
• Over one quarter of cultural organizations (26%) directly engage in economic development activities such as hosting events for community and economic development, community preservation, and workforce training or development. 

PA CultureCheck is an annual statewide survey created by PA Humanities and the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance to gather the voices and interests of cultural, arts, and humanities organizations, along with other nonprofits, community organizations, and businesses doing work in this space. The full results of PA CultureCheck 2023 can be found at PAHumanities.org/CultureCheck. 

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About Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance 

Established in 1972, the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance is the region’s leading arts and cultural advocacy, research, and marketing organization. Our mission is to “lead, strengthen and amplify the voices of a cultural community that ignites creativity, inspires people and is essential for a healthy region.” Our membership includes more than 450 organizations ranging from museums and dance companies to community art centers, historic sites, music ensembles and zoos. For more information on the Cultural Alliance, please visit philaculture.org. 

About PA Humanities 

PA Humanities is an independent nonprofit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and part of a network of 56 state humanities councils across the country. Its mission is to champion the humanities to build community, educate, inspire, and make long-lasting change. More information at PAHumanities.org.