What is the Future of the Arts in America?

In March 2017, ArtsFund hosted internationally renowned arts management expert Michael Kaiser for a series of events that brought together donors, arts nonprofit board members, and arts administrators in dialogue focused on the future of the arts in America.

Mr. Kaiser’s visit began with a special evening at Chihuly Boathouse for ArtsFund Encore donors, where he made comments on the state of the sector and how it is evolving.

Michael Kaiser, Nora and Allan Davis, Mari Horita, Leslie and Dale Chihuly. Photo by Robert Wade Photography.

The following day, ArtsFund hosted a convening that drew nearly 100 arts leaders, administrators, and board members.  In his speech, “The Future of the Arts in America,” Mr. Kaiser outlined the seven key concerns for the future of the arts in our country, highlighting marketing challenges, an aging patron and philanthropic base combined with an absence of arts education among our nation’s youth, and technological advancements that are changing the way people consume art. Read Mr. Kaiser’s full remarks here. For photos of the event, visit our Facebook page. For a video recording of the event, and more information, visit our events page.

ArtsFund also partnered with Classical KING FM on a series of radio spots to spread Mr. Kaiser’s ideas beyond the arts sector, broadly throughout the region. These spots are airing through May on 98.1 FM. Listen to one of the spots here.

While the arts sector certainly does face challenges ahead, ArtsFund shares Mr. Kaiser’s belief that these challenges cannot be addressed in a vacuum, but only through the unified efforts of arts advocates, administrators, supporters, donors, and patrons alike.  ArtsFund thanks Advisory Council members Allan and Nora Davis for making this series of events possible, and providing the opportunity for so many in the arts community to connect throughout its course.