Supporting the Arts: Why It Matters More Than Ever

Do you remember the first time you sat in the audience for a ballet, opera, concert, or play?

For me, it was The Nutcracker. I’ve seen many versions over the years. Some were performed by world-class professionals with full orchestras, and others by the children of friends with recorded music. I loved them all. No matter who danced the roles, the magic was the same. To this day, it remains one of my favorite holiday traditions.

After college, I moved to New York City for a job, but I stayed for the culture. I spent many weekend nights at Lincoln Center, soaking in the ballet, the symphony, or the opera. I saw so many Broadway shows that I had an entire box of Playbills when I finally left the city. Off-Broadway productions were often even more memorable. Some went on to fame, but every one of them represented passion, creativity, and courage.

I spent much of my disposable income appreciating the arts, and it was worth every penny.

National Arts and Humanities Month

In 1993, National Arts and Humanities Month was established and is observed each October. Its purpose is to encourage Americans to explore new facets of the arts and humanities and actively participate in the arts. It becomes more important due to the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on the performing arts and the funding cuts the sector has experienced post-pandemic.

The State of the Arts Today

The performing arts are facing difficult times. Many community theaters, orchestras, and arts organizations struggle to recover from the pandemic. Audiences are smaller, donations have declined, and many talented staff and performers have left the field entirely.

Earned revenue from ticket sales, tuition, and memberships has dropped by 6% over the past year. Revenue from the government and foundations is also down across the board. Government funding fell by 26% in 2024 as pandemic relief programs ended. Foundation funding declined 25%, and giving from individuals, board members, and corporations all decreased. Meanwhile, operating costs are higher than ever.

In response to these financial challenges, arts nonprofits have had to make difficult choices to stay afloat. Many have streamlined operations, reduced expenses by as much as 8%, and made significant cuts to personnel costs, the largest budget category. Others have restructured staff roles, combined administrative functions, or shifted toward more flexible, project-based models.

Some organizations have learned to adapt creatively by expanding programs that are fully funded or in high demand, while pausing others that draw fewer audiences. 

The National Endowment for the Arts, founded in 1965, remains the largest arts funder in the U.S., having awarded over $5.5 billion in grants. Though it is one of the smallest federal agencies, it currently faces sweeping budget cuts impacting performing and visual arts and arts education.

The Impact on Arts Education

Schools are feeling the pressure. When budgets tighten, arts programs are often the first to go. Funding disparities between wealthy and lower-income districts mean that many students never have the chance to take music, drama, or visual art classes at all.

This is a serious loss. Research consistently shows that arts education fosters creativity, critical thinking, emotional development, and even academic achievement. Students who participate in music programs often have higher reading comprehension, stronger cognitive skills, and better SAT verbal scores. Visual arts programs can spark lifelong passions that lead to careers in architecture, design, and animation.

A report titled Art for Life’s Sake: The Case for Arts Education highlights how arts learning enhances social and emotional growth, increases school engagement, and promotes civic participation. In short, the arts don’t just create artists: they create well-rounded human beings.

Emma Maupin, one of MCM’s violin and viola teachers, shared her thoughts about arts education: “There are so, so many benefits to youth music education, and it's disheartening to see it cut from so many public schools. Of course, at the most basic level, there is the lifelong appreciation of music. But as you learn an instrument, it also fosters good eye-hand coordination, problem-solving skills, active listening, teamwork, self-expression, and more.”

How We Can Help

Supporting the arts doesn’t always mean writing a big check to an arts nonprofit (though they will always appreciate your donation)! It can mean attending a local concert, buying a ticket to a community theater production, volunteering at a student recital, or simply sharing about a performance on social media.

Arts organizations are adapting, realigning programs with community interest, finding creative partnerships, and reengaging donors, but they need all of us to help keep the momentum going.

Many arts nonprofits have changed their sales models to include subscriptions and memberships.

Subscriptions are good for performing arts programs because they provide financial stability and build loyalty among their patrons. For patrons, subscriptions offer value through discounted prices, guaranteed seating for popular shows, and flexibility, depending on the type of package. 

More recently, some subscriptions include increased value-added benefits, such as behind-the-scenes access, exclusive content, or priority seating to encourage patron loyalty.

The arts connect us, challenge us, and remind us of our shared humanity. At Midwest Conservatory, we believe the arts are for everyone. Attend a recital, support a student musician, or invite a friend to experience the joy of live performance. Together, we can help the arts and our community thrive.