Special Edition Pulse Survey
The Arts and Culture Climate in the US
February 2025
In an effort to understand perception of recent events, and how they may affect the Arts & Culture sector, ABA deployed a Special Edition Pulse survey early 2025, with over 100 responses from executives across the United States. Organizations of all different sizes and genres responded, both ABA members and non-members.
Five Key Findings
60% of you have concerns over staff morale and retention
How we can help: We have recently released the findings from the 2025 update to our ground-breaking Compelling Employer study. In-depth survey analysis of 800 staff across 40 organizations reveals that job security is now the attribute that staff value most, up from number four just two years ago. Next month, we will unveil best practices on how to positively influence the attributes that matter most.
70% of you believe an already fragile financial picture is likely to worsen
How we can help: At our spring meeting series kicking off next month in DC we will feature a compilation of ideas, from the strategic to the tactical, that you and others have used to innovative earned revenue maximization at a time when other sources of funds might be declining
65% of you believe pressure on private donors will grow further
How we can help: We are launching across the second half of this year a seminal new project: Cultivating the Next Generation of Major Donors.
How you reposition your organization in the community and in grant applications are the #1 and #2 anticipated changes in the next 6-12 months
How we can help: This topic will be the subject of our quarterly Peer Group Forums for marketing, fundraising, CFO, community engagement, HR and mid-career executives.
Three-quarters of you plan to maintain current DEIA programs
How we can help: Our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Topic Center helps you understand how others are making progress against DEI&A initiatives and explores the critical elements of a sound DEI&A strategy.
Please email info@advisoryarts.com if you have any questions or would like to learn more about the findings.