Not-for-profit theatres contributed over $3.6 billion to the U.S. economy and attracted more than 27 million attendees, according to Theatre Facts 2023, released by Theatre Communications Group (TCG), in partnership with SMU DataArts.
“Theatre Facts 2023 underscores the extraordinary strength of non-profit theatres in the face of continued challenges,” remarked Emilya Cachapero, TCG’s Co-Executive Director of National and Global Programming. “While the financial landscape remains uncertain, theatres are innovating and finding new ways to connect with their communities. This important data tells us that we must continue to invest in sustainable solutions that ensure a just and thriving theatre ecology.”
The report presents a broad overview of the over 2,000 U.S. professional not-for-profit theatres, and for the first time, a special section focused on Black, Indigenous, and Theatres of Color( BITOC). Key findings include:
- Rising costs that surpass increases in income, coupled with the depletion of temporary relief funding, have left the sector more vulnerable than any point in its recent history.
- Total earned income fell from a 4-year high in 2019, declining sharply in 2021 and hitting an all-time low in 2022. In 2023, total earned income increased by 94% but remained 25% lower than 2019.
- Total ticket income, encompassing both subscription and single ticket sales revenue, has increased after a 4-year low in 2022, but was still 29% lower than in 2019 after adjusting for inflation.
- Subscription attendance rebounded as overall attendance fell 22%. The average number of subscribers peaked in 2020, hit an all-time low in 2021, and then increased in 2022 and 2023, representing only a 1% decrease from 2019.
- Attendance from individuals 18 and under fell 23% over the 4-year period.
- Average trustee giving was 28% lower in 2023 than in 2019, declining 15% from 2022 to 2023 after peaking in 2020.
- Investment instrument fluctuated significantly throughout the 4-year period, decreasing 31% since 2019.
- Total expenses rose 12% from 2022 to 2023 and total payroll expenses comprised an average of 51% of total expenses across all theatres.
- Total compensation fell by 5% from 2019 to 2023 yet accounted for 6% more of theatres’ total expenses over the 4-year period. The average total staff employed declined by 47% from 319 in 2019 to 175 in 2023. Staff reductions during the peak year of the pandemic (2021) were the greatest and predominantly affected part-time workers.
- On average, working capital levels were positive for theatres with budgets under $10 million but tended to be negative for the largest theatres.
To read the full report, click here.
The release of this report comes weeks after North Carolina Rep. Becky Carney announced that she and Rep. Kyle Hall would re-establish the Joint Caucus on Arts and Arts Education. The Arts Caucus has been crucial in state CARES and ARPA funding for nonprofit arts organizations and increasing NC Arts Council Grant funding, among other initiatives. Arts NC is asking all North Carolinians to write their Legislator to urge Caucus Membership.
According to the Arts NC website: “With the unprecedented changes we have seen happening in government in the last month, we need a strong Joint Caucus on Arts and Arts Education to protect and advance public funding for nonprofit arts organizations and public policy for arts education and the creative sector during the 2025 NC General Assembly session.”
For more information on Arts NC initiatives and this call to action, click here. Arts Day 2025, North Carolina’s Annual Conference of Art & Action, is scheduled for April 22 at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh.
