The Chicago Tribune

This Chicago Tribune article asks what happens when arts events fail to meet people’s expectations — an important consideration for arts providers who hope to draw new audiences for their work. This question is among those raised in Motivations Matter, a report from the Urban Institute that surveyed people’s motivations for participating in the arts.

“Most people have reported a good experience,” the report’s author, Francie Ostrower, told reporter Charles Storch, “but a significant number weren’t having their expectations met.”

Motivations Matter, released in November 2005 with support from The Wallace Foundation, offers insights that will enhance the foundation’s effort to inform the arts community about participation-building. It breaks down expectations and motivations for attendance by arts discipline and explains how they may vary widely depending on the type of event.

Storch’s story summarizes key points from Motivations Matter and includes feedback from the Chicago Children’s Choir, a Wallace grantee, which is considering changing its audience-building strategies based on the study’s findings.

Link:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/arts/chi-0511200448nov20,1,5216289.story?ctrack=1&cset=true