American arts communities are facing significant challenges early in this new century. Whether a large organization or small, all are experiencing the fallout from serious strains on federal, state, and local budgets, and from an economy that has weakened portfolio assets. There are some bright spots, however. Many arts organizations are holding their own with respect to funding. Grants may be smaller or fewer, but many communities are still continuing their cultural programs. LAA executives have learned from the last downturn and are actually seizing this opportunity to organize for the future. Some will emerge stronger when the recession is finally a footnote. That time cannot come too soon for most.

Americans for the Arts’ Monograph series featured in-depth issue papers on topics that were of the greatest interest to our members and arts professionals at the time. They often still serve as excellent resources for best practices and historic reference for today’s issues. Monographs were produced from 1993–2010. Monographs from 2001-2010 are available for downloadable in PDF format our online store at a nominal fee for nonmembers but free to members. All monographs from 1993-2000 are available for free download via the National Arts Administration and Policy Publications Database.

With the arts community facing many challenged, Americans for the Arts engaged Wolf, Keens & Co. to develop a more current and complete picture of what is happening in the LAA field so that others may learn new strategies for growing and survival.