copyright © 1998-2008
Durham Arts Council, Inc.
120 Morris Street
Durham, NC 27701
919.560.ARTS

TODAY'S ARTS MARKET:
THE BIG PICTURE

By Louise Stevens, ArtsMarket, Inc.

4. Consumerism, not Boosterism

Not too long ago, people attended their local arts out of pride. We were in the era when every city had to keep up with the boom of creating its own performing arts center, its own ballet, opera, theater, symphony, museums, and more. People went out of pride, even if they hated opera or dance.

With population mobility and a young market, boosterism has disappeared as a motivator to participation. Today's arts participants are consumers, not boosters. They comparison shop, consider their options, seek bargains, expect service, want to be sold. They figure it is the arts' job to find and woo them, if the arts want them as customers. They have plenty of other options for their leisure time.

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