GDDF 2024 Chicago Small Arts Survey

New Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation survey indicates

Chicago’s small arts sector is thriving artistically, employing more than 4,500 artists and presenting more than 1,800 productions, exhibitions, concerts and special events annually

Survey of 77 small arts organizations across the city, most with annual budgets under $500,000, shows positive outlook, ongoing commitment to presenting new works and developing Chicago talent

CHICAGO (October 1, 2024)—The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation (GDDF) is pleased to announce the results of its new Chicago Small Arts Sector Survey of 77 small arts organizations based in the Chicago region, conducted August-September 2024. These organizations span artistic genres, from theater, dance and music to visual art, museums, literary and multidisciplinary organizations. All survey participants have annual operating budgets under $1 million, with 73% reporting an annual budget of $500,000 or less—making GDDF’s survey the only recent study of its kind to focus exclusively on Chicago’s small arts sector.

The Chicago Small Arts Sector Survey indicates that while the city’s small arts organizations are still rebuilding post-COVID-19 pandemic, they are thriving artistically—employing more than 4,500 artists and presenting more than 1,800 productions, exhibitions, concerts and special events in the past season, including a significant number of new and devised works. In addition to citywide and suburban audiences, the organizations surveyed reported that they specifically serve audiences in 62 of Chicago’s 77 community areas, contributing to the culture and economies of neighborhoods citywide.

The 2024 Chicago Small Arts Sector Survey is the latest of GDDF’s efforts to support and advocate for the city’s small arts organizations. All survey respondents are grantees of the foundation, which provides more than $1.7 million in multi-year general operating grants to 170+ small arts organizations across Chicago and suburban Cook County each year. For more information, visit gddf.org/artistic-vitality.

A complete list of the 77 surveyed small arts organizations appears at the end of this release.

“Small arts organizations are essential businesses that contribute to Chicago’s cultural life and vibrancy. Our Chicago Small Arts Sector Survey represents just a portion of the overall small arts sector, but this snapshot illustrates the city’s small arts organizations are thriving artistically even as they grapple with the ongoing challenges of rebuilding post-pandemic,” says Ellen Placey Wadey, GDDF’s Program Director of Chicago Arts & Collections. “It is more important than ever that we support these organizations, both financially and as audience members. Go see a show or exhibition in your neighborhood! Not only are small arts organizations producing some of the most exciting new work citywide, they are doing so at an affordable price point in communities across Chicago. And they are committed to sharing the diverse stories and voices that make this a world-class city.”

Key findings of the 2024 Chicago Small Arts Sector Survey

Increasing return of in-person audiences post-pandemic

• 61% of the 77 small arts organizations surveyed are not offering any virtual programs as part of their current season. This marks a significant return to in-person programming as compared to during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Among organizations that present exclusively in-person programming, 55% reported that 75-100% or more of their in-person audiences have returned compared to pre-pandemic numbers.

Commitment to presenting new works and developing new talent

• In their most recent season/year of programming, the small arts organizations surveyed presented 1,866 productions, exhibitions, concerts and special events.

• These organizations currently employ 461 full time and part-time employees, and approximately 4,502 temporary artists/creatives per season.

• 75% of the organizations surveyed are presenting new works/premieres as part of their current season.

• 60% reported that over half of their current annual programming is made up of Chicago or Midwest premieres and/or other new work by artists.

• 95% of the organizations surveyed work with emerging artistic talent in their respective fields, with 83% specifically working with emerging artists based in Chicago or the surrounding region, showing a dedication to developing local talent.

• 57% of organizations have offered special classes, workshops or training programs for emerging artists in their respective artistic field in the past year.

• 64% of organizations offer mentorship opportunities for emerging talent with artistic ensemble members and/or established artists.

Contributions to the economies and culture of neighborhoods citywide

• The surveyed small arts organizations specifically serve audiences in 62 of Chicago’s 77 community areas.

• More than 61% of organizations are sharing stories/voices from within their communities as part of their current season of programming.

• 70% of the surveyed organizations partner with other Chicago arts organizations on programming during their seasons.

• 57% of organizations partnered with a non-arts business in their immediate community in the past year, and an additional 44% also partnered with a non-arts Chicago business located outside their community in the past year.

Organizations represented in the 2024 Chicago Small Arts Sector Survey

The 77 surveyed small arts organizations include: 6018North, ACRE, Aerial Dance Chicago, American Blues Theater, Asian Improv aRts Midwest, Ayodele Drum and Dance, Babes With Blades Theatre Company, Beyond This Point, Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre, Chicago a cappella, Chicago Art Department, Chicago Blues Revival, Chicago Dance Crash, Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble, Chicago Filmmakers, Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, Chicago Literary Hall of Fame, DanceWorks Chicago, Elastic Arts Foundation, Ensemble Dal Niente, eta Creative Arts Foundation, Filter Photo, First Floor Theater, Floating Museum, Guild Complex, Hell in a Handbag Productions, Homeroom NFP, Honey Pot Performance, International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago, Jackalope Theatre Company, Joel Hall Dancers & Center, Khecari, Kokandy Productions, LATITUDE Inc NFP, Lawndale Pop-Up Spot, Lifeline Theatre, Lubeznik Center for the Arts, Mandala South Asian Performing Arts, Mexican Folkloric Dance Company of Chicago, Mezcla Media Collective, Midsommer Flight, Molly Shanahan/Mad Shak, Muntu Dance Theatre, Natya Dance Theatre, Oak Park Festival Theatre, Orion Ensemble, Pegasus Theatre Chicago, Piven Theatre Workshop, PrideArts, Red Clay Dance Company, Red Theater, Redtwist Theatre, Remy Bumppo Theatre Company, Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, Riverside Arts Center, Roman Susan, Roots & Culture, Silk Road Cultural Center, Sones de Mexico Ensemble, South Chicago Dance Theatre, Steep Theatre Company, StretchMetal, Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest, Synapse Arts, Teatro Vista, The Chicago Poetry Center, The Lira Ensemble, The Neo-Futurists, The South Side Jazz Coalition, The Space Movement Project, Theater Wit, Theatre Y, Threewalls, Trap Door Theatre, Visceral Dance Chicago, and Woman Made Gallery.

About the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation

The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation supports land conservation, artistic vitality, and regional collections for the people of the Chicago region and the Lowcountry of South Carolina. The Foundation seeks to sustain and build resilient, vital, engaged, and equitable communities in these two regions by supporting conservation, arts, and collecting organizations that broaden narratives. For more information, visit gddf.org.

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