Author: Smith, Thomas M.

Publication Year:

Media Type: Periodical (article)

Summary:

Abstract:

This essay is one of five articles in the summer 2003 issue of The Journal of Arts Management, Law and Society that poses the question, "do arts intermediaries always create positive value; and what criteria can we establish to judge their current and future utility?"

Given that much has been written about how NEA funding can be a 'stamp of approval' for securing other funding sources and the administrative implications that this implies, the author set out to test this theory. Smith examines the history of finances in the nonprofit dance field, discusses the relevant theory and literature, introduces the data, hypotheseses and empirical models. Finally, he presents policy implications and offers suggestions for future research.

{From the Journal's Introduction by Arthur Brooks} "Thomas Smith also addresses government arts support, asking how the activities of the NEA affect private arts philanthropy. He poses the familiar 'crowding-out' question: Does government funding leverage private donations or displace them? Smith asks this in the context of dance companies and tests the question empirically. He finds that the NEA funding stimulates both private contributions to dance companies and government funding at other levels."

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: Funding