copyright © 1998-2007
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.

13. Image Matters

"The arts here are okay for (name a city), I guess." Or, "This really isn't a place you'd think of as an arts city." Or, "I don't know how good it really is here compared to (wherever)." Or, "Considering this isn't a big city, the arts are pretty decent."

Second city insecurities affect consumer perceptions of their local arts. They aren't sure how good it really is. They figure their version of a touring show isn't as good as what is coming to a city 100 miles away, their ballet's Nutcracker couldn't be as good as that other company's Nutcracker. They don't think theirs is an arts city, no matter its arts riches.

Image matters to the new generation of arts consumers. Perhaps it is their loss of boosterism, their need for new pride. They need to be reassured theirs is the best.

Return to "Big Picture" index.