The Performing Arts Research Coalition 2002: Household Surveys is a collaborative effort of five national service organizations in the performing arts.

Residents of ten communities were surveyed on a series of topics related to attendance at performing arts events. The ten communities surveyed were: Alaska, Cincinnati, Denver, Pittsburgh, Seattle, Austin, Boston, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Sarasota (FL) and Washington D.C.

Questions were asked regarding rates of participation, the perceived value of the performing arts to individuals and to communities, and barriers to greater attendance.

Among other criteria, these communities were selected as study sites because of the presence of financially and managerially strong local arts organizations and because at least three of the five disciplines encompassed by the participating national service organizations were represented in each area.

The five participating service organizations in the PARC project were the American Symphony Orchestra League, the Association of Performing Arts Presenters, Dance/USA, OPERA America, and Theatre Communications Group.

The project was coordinated by OPERA America, with research guidance from the Urban Institute, and supported by a grant from The Pew Charitable Trusts.

A total of 8,161 respondents in 10 communities completed telephone interviews in 2002 and 2003. PARC data include administrative surveys, audience surveys, subscriber surveys, and community/household surveys.

Final Reports

Community Reports

For additional information about the research initiative, visit the National Archive of Data on Arts & Culture.