2015 Local Arts Agency Census
The Comprehensive Questionnaire (Printable Version)
(To Participate, Use the Web-Based Census Form—Follow the Instructions Below)
What is the Local Arts Agency Census?
Thank you for taking the time to participate in the 2015 Local Arts Agency Census. As the national
service organization for America’s local arts agencies (LAAs), Americans for the Arts regularly collects
detailed budget and programming information for the purpose of measuring the health and condition of
the nation’s LAAs. The 2015 LAA Census—developed in partnership with local arts agencies and funded
by the National Endowment for the Arts—is the most comprehensive survey of LAAs ever conducted.
What is a Local Arts Agency?
Americans for the Arts defines a local arts agency as a private organization or an agency of local
government that presents programming to the public, provides services to artists and arts organizations,
manages cultural facilities, awards grants to artists or arts organizations, participates in community
cultural planning, and/or promotes good public policy for the arts. There are approximately 5,000 LAAs
in the U.S., and no two are exactly alike. They include private arts councils, cultural affairs departments,
hybrid profit/nonprofit organizations, and programs that operate under the umbrella of larger non-arts
agencies or organizations. They typically define their geographic service area as a city or town, an entire
county, or a multi-county region.
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Go to www.AmericansForTheArts.org/laacensus to visit the Census webpage.
2. Download and complete the Census Workbook from the sidebar on the right side of the page.
The Census Workbook contains the sections of the questionnaire that may require you to gather
and compile information about your LAA such as financial records and demographic
characteristics of your staff and board. It is a Microsoft Word document that can be filled out
electronically as a Word “form” (and saved), or it can be printed and filled out by hand. Filling
out the Census Workbook in advance may make the official web-based questionnaire easier and
more efficient to complete.
3. Return to www.AmericansForTheArts.org/laacensus, and click on the large blue “Open WebBased Census Form” button at the top right corner of the webpage.
4. Enter your LAA’s unique Survey Key. The Survey Key will be included in the letters and
email messages that we distribute to our database of local arts agencies beginning on May 4. If
you don’t know your LAA’s unique Survey Key, email us at surveys@artsusa.org with your
LAA’s name, city, and state. We will reply with your LAA’s unique Survey Key.
5. Click the Continue button at the bottom, and fill out the comprehensive Census questionnaire.
Answer all of the questions completely. Most require only that you check or circle the appropriate
responses. There is, however, a detailed financial section that will require you to gather your financial
documents (e.g., annual report, audit, and/or budget) for fiscal years 2011 through 2015. If exact numbers
are not available, use your best estimates. Blank spaces will be considered incomplete responses. If the
answer is zero, enter “0”. You may find it convenient to delegate different part of the survey to others in
the organization. All of your information will be kept strictly confidential!
All questions should be directed to Ben Davidson at bdavidson@artsusa.org or 202-371-2830.
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
SECTION 1
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR YOUR LOCAL ARTS AGENCY (LAA)
To begin, provide (or confirm) your LAA’s contact information.
Name of Local Arts Agency:
Mailing Address:
Mailing Address continued (if necessary):
City or Town:
State:
ZIP Code (5-digit only):
County or Parish (NOT country):
Phone Number (including the area code and using the 10-digit “###-###-####” format):
Does your LAA have a dedicated website? Or another primary web presence?
No
Yes (required – provide the URL of the home page):
Name of Chief Staff Executive (i.e., the person responsible for the day-to-day management of the LAA):
Title of Chief Staff Executive (e.g., executive director, CEO, cultural affairs manager, board president):
E-mail Address of Chief Staff Executive:
CONTACT FOR FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS:
We may need to contact your LAA in order to clarify responses to this Census. If so, should we
contact the chief staff executive that you listed above? Or is there another person that we should
contact? (Choose only one response)
Contact the chief staff executive (listed above) with any questions—SKIP to SECTION 2 (Page 3)
Contact a different person with questions—CONTINUE to Next Page
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 1
Name of Contact Person (for follow-up questions):
Title of Contact Person (for follow-up questions):
E-mail Address of Contact Person (for follow-up questions):
Phone Number of Contact Person (using the 10-digit “###-###-####” format):
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 2
SECTION 2
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR LOCAL ARTS AGENCY (LAA)
QUESTION 1:
Does your LAA have an officially adopted mission statement? (Choose only one response)
Yes—CONTINUE
No—SKIP to QUESTION 2 below
QUESTION 1a:
Provide your LAA’s officially adopted mission statement in the space below.
QUESTION 2:
Which of the following categories best characterizes the primary geographic area served by your
LAA? (Choose only one response)
Neighborhood—CONTINUE
City or town—SKIP to QUESTION 3 below
Single county—SKIP to QUESTION 3 below
Multiple cities or multiple towns (but NOT defined by county borders)—CONTINUE
Multiple counties—CONTINUE
Other—CONTINUE
QUESTION 2a:
Describe the primary geographic service area that you identified for your LAA in Question 2
above. What geographic boundaries are used to define your LAA’s geographic service area? For
example, list the counties (or the cities) that are included in the definition.
QUESTION 3:
Provide the total population of your LAA's primary geographic service area (identified in the
question above). Provide the most accurate estimate possible, as this figure will be used in making percapita calculations. The most recent available estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau for all U.S.
cities/towns as well as for all U.S. counties can be found using the following links to the Census Bureau’s
data: CITIES/TOWNS and COUNTIES.
QUESTION 4:
In what calendar year was your LAA founded/established? Enter the full 4-digit calendar year.
Ignore name changes, re-branding efforts, and mergers with other organizations. If your LAA was
originally founded in 1980, then merged with another organization in 2004, then adopted a new name and
mission statement in 2008, the correct answer to this question is “1980.”
QUESTION 5:
Does your LAA have a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)? If your LAA operates
under the umbrella of a parent organization or agency and does not have a separate EIN, does it
use the parent organization’s EIN for tax purposes? (Choose only one response)
My LAA has its own EIN—CONTINUE
My LAA uses the EIN of a parent organization or agency—CONTINUE
No—SKIP to QUESTION 6 below
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 3
QUESTION 5a:
Provide the Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) that is used by your LAA. The EIN is a
nine-digit number that is provided in a “##-#######” format.
QUESTION 6:
Which of the following categories best characterizes the legal status of your LAA? (Choose only
one response)
Government agency, department, division, program, or facility— SKIP to SECTION 2B (Page 5)
Nonprofit organization, program, or facility—SKIP to SECTION 2B (Page 6)
Private organization, program, or facility (without nonprofit status—SKIP to QUESTION 6B
Public-private hybrid or partnership—SKIP to QUESTION 6B
For-profit business—SKIP to SECTION 3 (Page 7)
Other / not listed above—CONTINUE to QUESTION 6A
QUESTION 6a:
Since you chose the "Other" category in the question above, please describe the legal status of your
LAA.
QUESTION 6b:
Is your LAA a part of the local government structure? (Choose only one response)
Yes—CONTINUE to SECTION 2A (Page 5)
No—SKIP to SECTION 2B (Page 6)
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 4
SECTION 2A
BACKGROUND INFORMATION (continued)
QUESTION 7a:
With which level of government is your LAA affiliated? (Choose only one response)
City government—SKIP to QUESTION 7C
County government—SKIP to QUESTION 7C
Unified city/county (i.e., a city/county that have merged into one jurisdiction)—SKIP to QUESTION 7C
Other / not listed above—CONTINUE to QUESTION 7B
QUESTION 7b:
Since you chose the "Other" category in the question above, please describe the level of government
with which your LAA if affiliated.
QUESTION 7c:
Tell us where your LAA is located within the local government structure. Is it an independent
agency, or does it operate under the umbrella of a larger agency, department, division, program, or
facility? (Choose only one response)
My LAA is an INDEPENDENT agency, department, division, program, or facility within the local
government structure—SKIP to QUESTION 7E
It operates under the umbrella of the Agricultural Extension Office (or similar)—SKIP to QUESTION 7E
It operates under the umbrella of the City/County Clerk (or similar)—SKIP to QUESTION 7E
It operates under the umbrella of the City/County Manager (or similar)—SKIP to QUESTION 7E
It operates under the umbrella of Community Development (or similar)—SKIP to QUESTION 7E
It operates under the umbrella of Economic Development (or similar)—SKIP to QUESTION 7E
It operates under the umbrella of the Mayor’s Office (or similar)—SKIP to QUESTION 7E
It operates under the umbrella of Parks & Recreation (or similar)—SKIP to QUESTION 7E
It operates under the umbrella of the Planning Office (or similar)—SKIP to QUESTION 7E
It operates under the umbrella of the Tourism Office (or similar)—SKIP to QUESTION 7E
Other / not listed above—CONTINUE to QUESTION 7D
QUESTION 7d:
Since you chose the "Other" category in the question above, please describe where your LAA is
located within the local government structure.
QUESTION 7e:
Does your LAA’s chief staff executive participate as a member of a mayor’s (or county executive’s)
“cabinet” of senior staff advisors? (Choose only one response)
Yes
No
I don’t know
Not applicable
SKIP to SECTION 3 (Page 7)
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 5
SECTION 2B
BACKGROUND INFORMATION (continued)
QUESTION 7a:
Has your LAA been “designated” by the local government as the official local arts agency for your
community? (Choose only one response)
Yes
No
I don’t know
QUESTION 7b:
Is your LAA an independent organization, program, or facility, or does it operate under the
umbrella of one of the following organizations? (Choose only one response)
My LAA is an INDEPENDENT organization, program, or facility—SKIP to QUESTION 7D
It operates under the umbrella of an Arts Center/Performing Arts Center—SKIP to QUESTION 7D
It operates under the umbrella of a Chamber of Commerce—SKIP to QUESTION 7D
It operates under the umbrella of a College/University—SKIP to QUESTION 7D
It operates under the umbrella of a Community Foundation—SKIP to QUESTION 7D
It operates under the umbrella of a Convention and Visitors Bureau—SKIP to QUESTION 7D
It operates under the umbrella of a Discipline-Specific Organization—SKIP to QUESTION 7D
It operates under the umbrella of a For-Profit Business—SKIP to QUESTION 7D
Other / not listed above—CONTINUE to QUESTION 7c
QUESTION 7c:
Since you chose the "Other" category in the question above, please describe the structure within
which your LAA operates.
QUESTION 7d:
Has your LAA received not-for-profit, tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service?
(Choose only one response)
Yes, it has received 501c3 status
Yes, it has received another type of not-for-profit status (NOT 501c3)
It has applied for not-for-profit status, but has not received it yet
No
Not-for-profit status is not applicable to my LAA
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 6
SECTION 3
OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNANCE OF YOUR LOCAL ARTS AGENCY (LAA)
QUESTION 8:
Is your LAA held accountable to or otherwise overseen by a board of directors or commission of
appointed officers (or a similar advisory or governing body)? (Choose only one response)
Yes—CONTINUE
No—SKIP to SECTION 4 (Page 10)
QUESTION 8a:
Exactly how many people are currently members of your LAA’s board/commission?
QUESTION 8b:
Do the current members of your LAA’s board/commission include any of the following? Consider
each person based on their PRIMARY area of expertise (or the perspective that he/she brings to your
board/commission). (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
NONE
Artists
Arts administrators
Arts patrons
Banking/finance professionals
Blue collar workers/union members
Business leaders
City planners
Designers/architects
Developers
Education administrators (e.g., principals, superintendents, school board members)
Educators (e.g., teachers, professors)
Emerging leaders
Engineers
Entrepreneurs
Environmental impact/sustainability professionals
Faith community leaders
Foundation community leaders
General public
Government leaders/elected officials
Healthcare professionals
Law enforcement or justice professionals
Law professionals
Marketing professionals
Not-for-profit professionals
Political appointees
Real estate professionals
Retail professionals
Social service professionals
Students
Tourism professionals
Others (description required):
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 7
QUESTION 8c:
Tell us about the GENDER IDENTITY of the current members of your LAA’s board/commission.
How many members belong in each of the gender identity categories below? If you are unsure, make
your most accurate guess. The total for each section should equal the total number of board/commission
members that you provided in your answer to Question 8a on Page 7.
GENDER IDENTITY
Female
NUMBER OF
BOARD/COMMISSION MEMBERS
#
Male
#
Other / Gender Nonconforming
#
The TOTAL should be equal to your answer to Question 8a (on Page 7)
QUESTION 8d
Tell us about the AGE of the current members of your LAA’s board/commission. How many
members belong in each of the age categories below? If you are unsure, make your most accurate
guess. The total for each section should equal the total number of board/commission members that you
provided in your answer to Question 8a on Page 7.
AGE
Younger than 18
NUMBER OF
BOARD/COMMISSION MEMBERS
#
18 to 24
#
25 to 44
#
45 to 64
#
65 or Older
#
The TOTAL should be equal to your answer to Question 8a (on Page 7)
QUESTION 8e
Tell us about the RACE/ETHNICITY of the current members of your LAA’s board/commission.
How many members belong in each of the race/ethnicity categories below? If you are unsure, make
your most accurate guess. The total for each section should equal the total number of board/commission
members that you provided in your answer to Question 8a on Page 7.
RACE / ETHNICITY
American Indian / Alaska Native
NUMBER OF
BOARD/COMMISSION MEMBERS
#
Asian
#
Black / African American
#
Hispanic / Latino
#
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
#
White / Non-Hispanic
#
Multi-Racial / Multi-Ethnic / No Single Category
#
The TOTAL should be equal to your answer to Question 8a (on Page 7)
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 8
QUESTION 8f:
In which of the following ways do the current members of your board/commission act as a resource
for your LAA? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
Give direct donations to your LAA (i.e., the “give” in “give or get”)
Raise money on behalf of your LAA (i.e., the “get” in “give or get”)
Leverage relationships with influential decision makers and policy makers in the community
Serve as volunteer staff IN PLACE OF paid staff
Serve as volunteer staff IN ADDITION TO paid staff
Lend professional expertise in areas other than fund-raising
Provide general oversight of executive staff, policies, and/or procedures
Provide strategic vision and direction
NONE
Others (description required):
QUESTION 8g:
Does your LAA have—or is it required to adhere to—a written diversity policy for
board/commission members? (Choose only one response)
Yes, it has or adheres to a written policy
It is a consideration in our operations, but there is no written policy
No
QUESTION 8h:
Does your LAA have—or is it required to adhere to—a written succession plan for
board/commission members? (Choose only one response)
Yes, for the chairperson only
Yes, for the board/commission leadership (e.g., officers)
Yes, for all board/commission members
No
QUESTION 8i:
Does your LAA require board/commission members to sign a commitment letter (e.g., written
agreement or contract)? (Choose only one response)
Yes
No
QUESTION 8j:
Does your LAA have term limits for its board/commission members? (Choose only one response)
Yes
No
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 9
SECTION 4
STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS TO YOUR LOCAL ARTS AGENCY (LAA)
QUESTION 9:
Excluding any board/commission members, does at least one person work for your LAA on a
YEAR-ROUND basis—either paid or volunteer, and either full-time or part-time? (Choose only
one response)
Yes, my LAA has at least one year-round employee or volunteer staff (full-time or part-time)—CONTINUE
No, my LAA is operated entirely by its board/commission—SKIP to SECTION 5 (Page 14)
QUESTION 9a:
Exactly how many people currently work for your LAA on a YEAR-ROUND basis—either paid or
volunteer, and either full-time or part-time? Exclude board/commission members as well as
"seasonal" employees, “seasonal” contractors, “seasonal” volunteers, and/or interns.
QUESTION 9b:
For which of the following primary work areas does your LAA have at least one dedicated, YEARROUND paid employee and/or unpaid volunteer? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
PAID
PRIMARY WORK AREA
FullTime
PartTime
VOLUNTEER
FullPartTime
Time
Executive Director / President & CEO
Assistant Director / Chief Operating Officer
Advocacy / Government Affairs
Artistic Programming
Arts Education / Teaching Artists / Educators
Communications / Public Relations / Media
Community Development and Engagement
Development / Fundraising / Annual Giving
United Arts Fundraising / Workplace Giving
Education / Outreach
Event Planning / Special Events
Facilities / Facility Management
Finance / Accounting / Financial Management
Grantmaking / Contract Administration
Membership
Operations / Administration
Planning (e.g., cultural or strategic planning)
Programming / Service Delivery
Public Art / Arts in Public Places
Research / Program Evaluation / Data Analysis
Sales / Marketing / Promotions
Technology / IT / Database Management
Other / Miscellaneous / Not listed above
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 10
QUESTION 9c:
How many people work for your LAA on a YEAR-ROUND basis (i.e., these people are considered
employees or volunteers during all 12 months of the year)? Exclude board/commission members as
well as "seasonal" employees, “seasonal” contractors, “seasonal” volunteers, and/or interns. The total for
each section should equal the total number of year-round people who work for your LAA that you
provided in your answer to Question 9a on Page 10.
NUMBER OF
YEAR-ROUND
EMPLOYEES/
VOLUNTEERS
#
Category of YEAR-ROUND Employees and Volunteers
Full-Time, Paid, Year-Round Employees
Full-Time, Paid, Year-Round Contract Staff (i.e., contractors)
#
Full-Time, Unpaid, Year-Round Volunteers (excluding board/commission)
#
Part-Time, Paid, Year-Round Employees
#
Part-Time, Paid, Year-Round Contract Staff (i.e., contractors)
#
Part-Time, Unpaid, Year-Round Volunteers (excluding board/commission)
#
The TOTAL should be equal to your answer to Question 8a (on Page 10)
QUESTION 9d:
Tell us about the GENDER IDENTITY of your LAA's year-round employees and/or volunteers.
How many people who work at your LAA on a year-round basis belong in each of the gender
identity categories below? The total for each section should equal the total number of year-round
people who work for your LAA that you provided in your answer to Question 9a on Page 10.
GENDER IDENTITY
Female
NUMBER OF YEAR-ROUND
EMPLOYEES/VOLUNTEERS
#
Male
#
Other / Gender Nonconforming
#
The TOTAL should be equal to your answer to Question 8a (on Page 10)
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 11
QUESTION 9e
Tell us about the AGE of your LAA's year-round employees and/or volunteers. How many people
who work at your LAA on a year-round basis belong in each of the age categories below? The total
for each section should equal the total number of year-round people who work for your LAA that you
provided in your answer to Question 9a on Page 10.
AGE
Younger than 18
NUMBER OF YEAR-ROUND
EMPLOYEES/VOLUNTEERS
#
18 to 24
#
25 to 44
#
45 to 64
#
65 or Older
#
The TOTAL should be equal to your answer to Question 8a (on Page 10)
QUESTION 9f
Tell us about the RACE/ETHNICITY of your LAA's year-round employees and/or volunteers.
How many people who work at your LAA on a year-round basis belong in each of the race/ethnicity
categories below? The total for each section should equal the total number of year-round people who
work for your LAA that you provided in your answer to Question 9a on Page 10.
RACE / ETHNICITY
American Indian / Alaska Native
NUMBER OF YEAR-ROUND
EMPLOYEES/VOLUNTEERS
#
Asian
#
Black / African American
#
Hispanic / Latino
#
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
#
White / Non-Hispanic
#
Multi-Racial / Multi-Ethnic / No Single Category
#
The TOTAL should be equal to your answer to Question 8a (on Page 10)
QUESTION 9g:
Does your LAA have—or is it required to adhere to—a written diversity hiring policy for staff
and/or volunteers? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
Yes, for chief staff executive (e.g., executive director, president & CEO, cultural affairs manager)
Yes, for other senior staff
Yes, for support staff
Yes, for volunteers
No
Others (description required):
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 12
QUESTION 9h:
Does your LAA have—or is it required to adhere to—a written succession plan for staff? (CHECK
ALL THAT APPLY)
Yes, for chief staff executive (e.g., executive director, president & CEO, cultural affairs manager)
Yes, for other senior staff
No
Others (description required):
QUESTION 9i:
For how many years has your LAA’s current chief staff executive (e.g., executive director/president
and CEO) met each of the following criteria?
Worked in the field of arts and culture FOR ANY ORGANIZATION?
Worked in any capacity FOR YOUR LAA (including his/her current role)?
Served in his/her CURRENT ROLE as the chief staff executive of your LAA?
QUESTION 9j:
Does your LAA provide access to, or funds for, professional development/training for staff and/or
volunteers? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
Yes, for chief staff executive (e.g., executive director, president & CEO, cultural affairs manager)
Yes, for other senior management positions
Yes, for all paid full-time staff
Yes, for all paid, part-time, year-round staff
Yes, for volunteers
No
Others (description required):
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 13
SECTION 5
SERVICES PROVIDED BY YOUR LOCAL ARTS AGENCY (LAA)
QUESTION 10:
Does your LAA consider the following groups to be a part of your LAA’s primary constituencies?
Primary constituencies are the groups for which your LAA has direct and specific programming and/or
services. (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
NONE
Businesses
Colleges and universities
Community development organizations
Creative industry professionals (e.g., culinary, design, fashion)
Education administrators (e.g., principals, superintendents, school board members)
Educators (e.g., teachers, professors)
For-profit arts organizations, programs, and/or facilities
General public
Individual artists
Informal arts groups
Local affinity/service organizations (i.e., Chamber of Commerce)
Non-arts government agencies, departments, programs, and/or facilities
Not-for-profit arts organizations, programs, and/or facilities
Other arts service organizations, programs, and/or facilities
Other local arts agencies (public or private)
Private funders
Schools and school districts
Social service organizations
Students
Others (description required):
QUESTION 11:
Does your LAA have a membership program? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
Yes, we have a PAID membership program
Yes, we have a FREE membership program
No
Other (description required):
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
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Page 14
QUESTION 12:
Does your LAA provide services to organizations, programs, and/or facilities? Examples of services
provided to organizations can include trainings/workshops, technical assistance, financial support, facility
space, etc. (Choose only one response)
Yes—CONTINUE
No—SKIP to QUESTION 13 on Page 16
QUESTION 12a:
Which of the following types of services does your LAA provide to organizations, programs, and/or
facilities? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
Services Provided:
To ARTS organizations,
programs, and/or
facilities
To NON-ARTS
organizations,
programs, and/or
facilities
(FOR ARTS
PROGRAMMING)
Advocacy trainings, services, and support
Arts management training
Block booking (of shows and events, etc.)
Central accounting
Central box office
Central purchasing
Central/shared event calendaring
Convenings / networking opportunities
Equipment loans
Facility space (e.g., meeting, performance)
Grants/financial support
Health insurance
Marketing services
Money loans
Publicity and/or promotional services
Referrals
Registry /directory
Seminars and/or workshops
Shared mailing list
Technical assistance
Volunteer recruitment
Other / Miscellaneous / Not listed above
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 15
QUESTION 13:
Does your LAA provide any of the following types of services to individual artists in your service
area? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
NONE—we do not provide services to INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS
Administrative support
Artist registry
Artistic workshops / classes / seminars
Business workshops / classes / seminars
Employment referrals / job bank
Exhibit and/or gallery space
Exhibit and/or performance opportunities
Grants / financial support
Information
Insurance
Legal assistance
Life skills training (e.g., finances, resume building, job placement)
Marketing / promotion
Mentorship facilitation
Money loans
Performance space
Referrals
Rehearsal space
Residency / teaching opportunities
Studio space
Subsidized living space
Technology/web development
Others (description required):
QUESTION 14:
Does your LAA provide any of the following types of services to the business community in your
service area? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
NONE—we do not provide services to THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY
Arts experiences for employees (i.e., opportunities for employees to experience the arts and culture)
Arts-based workplace training programs for businesses and their employees
Art purchase programs
Board placements
Nonprofit board training programs
Rotating art exhibits
Volunteer placements
Volunteer training programs
Others (description required):
QUESTION 15:
Which of the following statements are true for your LAA? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
My LAA is a member of a Chamber of Commerce
My LAA offers direct programming for the business community
My LAA actively creates networking opportunities between artists and non-artists
My LAA actively encourages partnerships between arts organizations and the business community
My LAA actively encourages partnerships between arts organizations and non-arts organizations
My LAA contributes arts-friendly opinion-editorials (op-eds) to news outlets
NONE
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 16
QUESTION 16:
Does your LAA provide any of the following types of services to the general public in your service
area? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
NONE—we do not provide services to THE GENERAL PUBLIC
Advocacy updates
Apps for mobile devices
Art-making opportunities
Artistic workshops, classes, and seminars
Bus tours / field trips
Calendar of cultural performances and/or events (E-MAIL)
Calendar of cultural performances and/or events (ONLINE or WEB-BASED)
Calendar of cultural performances and/or events (PRINTED)
Community cultural guides (e.g., educational, historical)
Directory of artists
Directory of arts organizations
Discounted ticket opportunities
Festivals
Lectures / educational opportunities
Newsletters / publications
Public art tours
Public performances
Scholarships
Social media updates, offers, and/or alerts
Studio tours
Ticketing service (IN-PERSON)
Ticketing service (ONLINE or WEB-BASED)
TV shows or media profiles covering the arts in your community
Website resources
Others (description required):
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 17
SECTION 6
TRACKING THE DIVERSITY OF LOCAL ARTS AGENCY (LAA) CONSTITUENCIES
QUESTION 17:
Does your LAA collect information about and/or track trends in the diversity of any of the
following groups in your community? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
NONE
Board members of organizations served
Staff members of organizations served
Artists
Audiences
General population of your service area
Grantees
Others (description required):
QUESTION 18:
Does your LAA have written guidelines that mandate the consideration of diversity in any of the
following areas when making decisions about programming, services, and/or awarding financial
support? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
NONE
Age
Artistic disciplines
Disability
Educational attainment
Gender
Income / class
Marital status
Political views
Race / ethnicity
Sexual orientation
Others (description required):
QUESTION 19:
Does your LAA give targeted support in any of the following ways to cultural groups and/or
institutions that meet defined diversity criteria? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
NONE
We provide access to dedicated grant funds
We provide special/additional access to trainings or other programming
We provide special/additional access to mentorship either from our staff or from other experts
We provide special/additional effort in cultivating participation in our grants and/or other programs
We publicly identify/celebrate such organizations as examples within the community
Others (description required):
QUESTION 20:
Does your LAA seek to increase the diversity of the arts organizations and individuals it serves?
(CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
We administer our own programs that are designed to do this
We fund another organization (or organizations) to administer programs for this purpose
No
Others (description required):
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 18
QUESTION 21:
Does your LAA administer or fund any of the following specifically to educate members of your
community or constituency on issues of diversity? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
NONE
Grants (or other financial incentives or rewards)
Group workshops (OPTIONAL)
Group workshops (REQUIRED)
Printed materials, toolkits, and/or guidelines
Private recognition of success
Public recognition of success
Staff / board training
Others (description required):
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 19
SECTION 7
PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS
QUESTION 22:
Has your LAA formed formal partnerships or collaborations with any other organizations or
agencies in the community? LAA partners can include both arts organizations and/or non-arts
organizations. These can include government agencies, nonprofit organizations, private community
organizations, and/or for-profit businesses. (Choose only one response)
Yes—CONTINUE
No—SKIP to QUESTION 23 on Page 22
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 20
QUESTION 22a:
With which of the organizations and/or agencies below does your LAA have partnerships or
collaborations? Check the box that matches the depth of your relationship with each partner. (CHECK
ALL THAT APPLY FOR EACH ORGANIZATION OR AGENCY)
Partner Organizations/Agencies
Informal /
We Talk
We Meet
Regularly
We Work
Together
to Plan,
Fund, and
Implement
Programs
We Fund
Them
Through
Grants/
Contracts
(But
THEY Do
The
Work)
The Arts
have been
Integrated
Into Their
Initiatives
Agricultural Extension Service(s)
Airports / aviation
Bookstores
Boys and Girls Club(s)
Chamber of Commerce
Colleges / universities / higher education
Community-based education organizations
Community development agencies
Convention and Tourism Bureau
Cultural districts
Economic development agencies
Economic Development Corporation
Entrepreneurial centers
Environmental agencies
Faith-based organizations
Film commission
Healthcare providers
Historical societies
Housing agencies / organizations
Humanities organizations
Immigration agencies
Law enforcement -- corrections / prisons
Law enforcement -- juvenile justice
Libraries
Local arts agencies in other cities / states
Main Street Associations / programs
Museums
Parks and Recreation Department
Professional associations (e.g., realtors)
School districts
Schools
Sister cities
Small Business Development Centers
Social service departments
State and national parks
Transportation agencies / organizations
YMCA / YWCA
Other / Miscellaneous / Not listed above
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 21
QUESTION 23:
Is there a local Community Foundation located in or that serves your LAA’s community? (Choose
only one response)
Yes, there is one Community Foundation—CONTINUE
Yes, there are two or more Community Foundations—CONTINUE
No—SKIP to SECTION 8 (Page 23)
QUESTION 23a:
In which of the following ways does your LAA partner or collaborate with a Community
Foundation to address arts-related programmatic areas? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
We RECEIVE
FUNDING FROM a
Community
Foundation to
address this
programmatic area
We PARTNER
WITH a
Community
Foundation to
implement
initiatives in this
programmatic area
A Community
Foundation
addresses this
programmatic area
WITHOUT THE
INVOLVEMENT
OF MY LAA
NONE
Alliance or network building
Audience development
Arts advocacy
Arts education
At-risk youth
Board development
Capacity-building
Community indicators
Community planning
Facilities
General operating support
Grantmaking / re-granting
Human resources
Marketing
Other / Miscellaneous
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 22
SECTION 8
COMMUNITY CULTURAL PROGRAMMING
QUESTION 24:
Does your LAA present its own community cultural programming, and/or does it fund community
cultural programming through direct financial support? Examples of cultural programming can
include the performing arts, the visual arts, media arts, living collections (e.g., zoos and botanical
gardens), public radio and public television, public art, and more. (CHOOSE ONLY ONE RESPONSE)
My LAA presents its own community cultural programming—CONTINUE
My LAA funds community cultural programming through direct financial support—CONTINUE
Both (my LAA presents its own cultural programming AND it funds the programming of others—CONTINUE
No—SKIP to SECTION 9 on Page 25
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 23
QUESTION 24a:
Select all of the types of community cultural programming that are presented and/or funded by
your LAA. Identify the ways that it supports each area of cultural programming—either by presenting its
own programming, or by funding programming of others. (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
Types of Cultural Programming
Implemented/Funded
Art classes, trainings, seminars, and workshops
Art therapy
Art-making (experiences and opportunities)
Arts education
Crafts
Culinary arts
Dance
Design arts
Digital arts
Fashion
Festivals and/or fairs
Film and/or video
Folk-life / traditional arts
“Gap” programming to fill a community need
Historical organizations and historic sites
Humanities
Interdisciplinary
Landscape design
Literature and literary arts
Living collections (e.g., botanical gardens, zoos)
Media arts
Multi-disciplinary
Mural making
Museums / galleries
Music
NON-arts / NON-humanities
Opera / musical theatre
Performance art
Personal practice (personal art making)
Photography
Public art (i.e., art in public spaces)
Public radio
Public television
Theatre
Video game design
Visual arts
Other / Miscellaneous / Not listed above
DIRECTLY:
WE PRESENT our
own programming
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
INDIRECTLY:
WE FUND
programming through
a grant/contract
Page 24
SECTION 9
MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS, AND AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT
QUESTION 25:
Does your LAA have a written marketing/communications plan? (Choose only one response)
Yes
No
QUESTION 26:
Does your LAA provide staffing for its strategic marketing-related and communications-related
activities, and if so, how? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
No
At least one dedicated full-time employee
At least one dedicated part-time employee
At least one full-time person who does this work as one component of a multi-departmental job
At least one part-time person who does this work as one component of a multi-departmental job
External paid help (i.e., a contractor or consulting firm)
Volunteer(s)
Others (description required):
QUESTION 27:
Does your LAA have an organizational Facebook account?
Yes—CONTINUE
No—SKIP to QUESTION 28 below
QUESTION 27a:
What is the URL of your LAA’s Facebook page?
QUESTION 27b:
How many “likes” has your LAA’s Facebook page received?
QUESTION 28:
Does your LAA have an organizational Twitter account?
Yes—CONTINUE
No—SKIP to QUESTION 29 on Page 26
QUESTION 28a:
What is your LAA’s Twitter “handle?”
QUESTION 28b:
How many Twitter users “follow” your LAA’s Twitter account?
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 25
QUESTION 29:
Does your LAA have organizational accounts for any of the following additional social media
channels? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
NONE
Flickr
Foursquare
Google+
Instagram
Tumblr
Vimeo
Vine
YouTube
Others (description required):
QUESTION 30:
In which of the following ways does your LAA track the effectiveness of your marketing and
communications activities? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
NONE
We ask people anecdotally
We survey people
We track event attendance
We track e-mail delivery, open, click-through, and bounce-back rates
We track regular mailings that are returned as not deliverable
We track revenue targets
We track sales
We track social media “shares,” “likes,” “followers/friends,” and “retweets”
We track the usage of discount codes
We track website analytics
Others (description required):
QUESTION 31:
Tell us about the marketing and community reach of your LAA by filling out the table below. Use
your best estimates. If a category is not applicable to your LAA, simply leave the answer field for that
category blank.
MARKETING AND COMMUNITY REACH
In total, approximately how many unique MAILING addresses are on
your LAA’s postal distribution lists?
In total, approximately how many unique E-MAIL addresses are on your
LAA’s electronic mail distribution lists?
How many estimated website “hits” did your LAA’s website receive
during the past year?
During the past year, what was the total attendance to arts and cultural
events, performance, and exhibitions that were produced or presented
directly by your LAA (i.e., your LAA's total arts attendance)?
During the past year, what was the total attendance to all arts and
cultural events, performances, and exhibitions that took place in your
LAA's service area (i.e., your community's total arts attendance)?
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
#
#
#
#
#
Page 26
QUESTION 32:
During the past two years (2014-15), has your LAA made a meaningful investment in any of the
following strategies for the purpose of developing and/or engaging arts audiences in your
community? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
NONE—SKIP to SECTION 10 on Page 28
My LAA collected data on audience preferences and/or behaviors—CONTINUE
My LAA developed new participatory and/or educational programming—CONTINUE
My LAA developed new programs that are relevant to specific target audiences—CONTINUE
My LAA engaged audiences in the consumption of the arts through technology—CONTINUE
My LAA implemented a new marketing strategy designed to engage audiences—CONTINUE
My LAA implemented a new marketing strategy designed to increase attendance—CONTINUE
My LAA implemented a new pricing model for its cultural programs and events—CONTINUE
My LAA involved audience members in the program planning process—CONTINUE
My LAA offered cultural experiences in an unconventional space or facility—CONTINUE
Others (description required):
—CONTINUE
QUESTION 32a:
Which of the following have occurred since your LAA implemented the audience development
strategy (or strategies) that you identified in Question 25 above? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
NONE
Arts audiences are becoming more representative of our entire community
Arts audiences are younger
Attendance to arts programming decreased
Attendance to arts programming increased
Attendance to arts programming remained the same
New donors for the arts emerged
Ticket revenue grew
I don’t know
Others (description required):
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 27
SECTION 10
CULTURAL TOURISM ACTIVITIES BY YOUR LOCAL ARTS AGENCY
QUESTION 33:
Is cultural tourism part of your LAA’s mission and/or goals? (Choose only one response)
Yes
No
QUESTION 34:
In what ways does your LAA address cultural tourism in your community? ((CHECK ALL THAT
APPLY)
My LAA implements cultural tourism programs and activities on its own
My LAA partners with another organization to implement cultural tourism programs and activities
My LAA funds another organization to provide cultural tourism programs and activities
NONE
Others (description required):
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 28
SECTION 11
CULTURAL EXCHANGES AND INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT
QUESTION 35:
Is your LAA currently involved in cultural exchange initiatives or international cultural
engagement programs? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
NO—SKIP to SECTION 12 (Page 31)
Yes, for arts administrators—CONTINUE
Yes, for arts organizations—CONTINUE
Yes, for individual artists—CONTINUE
Yes, for students—CONTINUE
Yes, for educators / education administrators—CONTINUE
Yes, for others (description required):
—CONTINUE
QUESTION 35a:
Approximately how many cultural exchange initiatives or international cultural engagement
programs does your LAA sponsor or participate in annually? (Choose only one response)
1
2 to 5
6 to 9
10 to 24
25 to 49
50 to 99
100 or More
QUESTION 35b:
Which of the following types of international cultural engagement has your LAA participated in or
otherwise supported? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
Economic development (e.g., commerce/trade programs)
Educational workshops for adults
Educational workshops for youth
Festivals
Guest artists
Intercultural collaboration
International exchanges—foreign artist or arts administrator(s) visit a U.S. community
International exchanges—U.S. artist or arts administrator(s) visit a community abroad
Lectures
Master Classes
Professional development
Residency
Touring
Others (description required):
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 29
QUESTION 35c:
What is the typical PER-PROJECT budget for your LAA’s cultural exchange programs or
international cultural engagement initiatives? (Choose only one response)
Less than $10,000
$10,000 to $24,999
$25,000 to $49,999
$50,000 to $99,999
$100,000 to $249,999
$250,000 to $499,999
$500,000 to $999,999
$1,000,000 or More
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 30
SECTION 12
ARTS EDUCATION
QUESTION 36:
Is addressing arts education in your community a part of your LAA’s written mission and/or goals?
(Choose only one response)
Yes
No
QUESTION 37:
Does your LAA receive any annual revenue that is dedicated specifically to support educational
efforts? (Choose only one response)
Yes
No
QUESTION 38:
Approximately what percentage of your LAA’s total annual operating budget is designated towards
arts education activities? If an exact figure is not available, use your best estimate.
%
QUESTION 39:
Do any of your local school districts have a written arts education policy that has been adopted by
the school board? (Choose only one response)
Yes, ALL school districts in my community have written arts education policies
Yes, SOME school districts in my community have written arts education policies
No
I don’t know / unsure
QUESTION 40:
Does your LAA provide staffing for its arts education-related activities, and if so, how? (CHECK
ALL THAT APPLY)
No
At least one dedicated full-time employee
At least one dedicated part-time employee
At least one full-time person who does this work as one component of a multi-departmental job
At least one part-time person who does this work as one component of a multi-departmental job
External paid help (i.e., a contractor or consulting firm)
We fund another organization to provide arts education staffing and administration
We work with arts education practitioners such as educators and teaching artists
Volunteer(s)
Others (description required):
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 31
QUESTION 41:
Does your LAA address arts education in your community through any of the following programs
and/or services? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
NONE
Advocates on behalf of arts education
Cultivates relationships with key decision makers
Curates or hosts directories of arts organizations / artists
Offers funding for direct services and/or partnerships with schools
Offers professional development for classroom teachers and/or school leaders
Provides direct services (e.g., residencies, performances, field trips)
Provides technical assistance and toolkits for school districts and arts organizations
Provides training programs for artists to work in schools
Unifies community resources and/or creates cross-sector partnerships
Others (description required):
QUESTION 42:
Does your LAA provide arts education programming and/or services for any of these specific
groups? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
NONE
Collaborations with colleges/universities
Creative aging programs
Creative youth development programming
Early education
Pre-K through 12
Out-of-school enrichment programming
Out-of-school programming for at-risk youth
Continuing education for adults
Others (description required):
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 32
SECTION 13
MANAGEMENT OF CULTURAL FACILITIES BY YOUR LOCAL ARTS AGENCY (LAA)
QUESTION 43:
Has your LAA funded or been involved in the construction or adaptive re-use of an
environmentally responsible/sustainable facility during the past five years? (Choose only one
response)
Yes
No
QUESTION 44:
Is your LAA currently involved with the operation of any cultural facilities? This could be a facility
that is used by your LAA, or a facility that it manages for another organization/program.
(Examples of cultural facilities can include gallery/exhibition space, performance venues and space,
studios, artist live/work space, arts incubator space, office space, and more.) (Choose only one response)
Yes—CONTINUE
No—SKIP to SECTION 14 (Page 34)
QUESTION 44a:
Tell us about your LAA’s involvement with the management or operation of cultural facilities by
filling in the table below. Do you own or rent any of these facilities, or manage any of these facilities for
others? Did you do any of those things in the past (but not any longer), or do you plan to do any of them
in the future? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
Own, Rent, Manage
CULTURAL FACILITY
Artist live / work space
Arts incubator space
Film screening room
Gallery / exhibition space
Kitchen / catering
Meeting / classroom space
Office space (our own)
Office space (for others)
Performance space
Performing arts center
Public space (e.g., plaza)
Rehearsal space
Restaurant and/or bar
Retail space
Studios / studio space
Visiting artist housing
Other / miscellaneous
OWN
(our own
facility)
RENT
(our own
facility)
MANAGE
(someone
else’s
facility)
Past, Present, Future
WE DID
THIS IN
THE PAST
(but not any
longer)
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
WE DO
THIS NOW
WE PLAN
TO DO
THIS IN
THE
FUTURE
(but not
currently)
Page 33
SECTION 14
PUBLIC ART
QUESTION 45:
Does your LAA operate a public art program? (Choose only one response)
Yes—CONTINUE
No, but we are interested in or considering it—SKIP to SECTION 15 (Page 36)
No—SKIP to SECTION 15 (Page 36)
QUESTION 45a:
Does your LAA provide staffing for its public art program and the related public art activities, and
if so, how? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
No
At least one dedicated full-time employee
At least one dedicated part-time employee
At least one full-time person who does this work as one component of a multi-departmental job
At least one part-time person who does this work as one component of a multi-departmental job
External paid help (e.g., a contractor or consulting firm)
We fund another organization to provide public art staffing and administration
We partner with public art practitioners such as administrators, artists, and planners
Volunteer(s)
Others (description required):
QUESTION 45b:
Which of the following types of public art does your public art program commission and/or
develop? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
Art-based street fairs or festivals
Multi-media / new technology (e.g., light art, projections, video, audio)
Performance, time-based artwork (e.g., music, theater, dance, spoken word)
Site-specific integrated artwork (e.g., architecture, landscape architecture, environmental sculpture)
Temporary installations
Three-dimensional work (e.g., sculpture, bas-relief, statues)
Two-dimensional work (e.g., murals, mosaics, terrazzo, photography)
Others (description required):
QUESTION 45c:
Is your public art program involved in the development of public art in schools or other
educational settings? (Choose only one response)
Yes
No
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 34
QUESTION 45d:
In which of the following public art networks does your program participate? (CHECK ALL THAT
APPLY)
NONE
There isn’t a public art network in my area
Americans for the Arts’ Public Art Network (PAN)
Arizona Public Art Network
Florida Association of Public Art Professionals (FAPAP)
Greater Chicago-Central Midwest
Iowa Public Art Network (IPAN)
Minnesota
Northern California Public Art Administrators Network (NorCal PAAN)
Northwest Public Art Council (NowPAC)
Public Art Coalition of Southern California (PAC SoCal)
Texas Public Art Administrators
Others (description required):
QUESTION 45e:
What other sources of revenue are used to support your LAA’s public art program? (CHECK ALL
THAT APPLY)
Cash contributions from individuals
Cash contributions from private businesses
General operating support
Grants from foundations
Percent-for-art ordinance/policy
Public art in private development ordinance/policy
Revenue from government sources
Others (description required):
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 35
SECTION 15
CULTURAL DISTRICTS (sometimes called ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICTS)
QUESTION 46:
Has your local and/or state government approved legislation that creates cultural districts or arts &
entertainment districts? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
Yes, our local government
Yes, our state government
No
I don’t know
QUESTION 47:
What is your LAA’s typical level of involvement in the planning and development of cultural
districts or arts & entertainment districts in your community? (Choose only one response)
My LAA has a primary, leading role
My LAA has a secondary, supporting role
My LAA has explored the idea of cultural districts in the past but the conversation is no longer active
My LAA is not involved at all in the planning and development of cultural districts
Our community has never done this
Other (description required):
QUESTION 48:
Does your community currently have at least one existing cultural district or arts & entertainment
district? (Choose only one response)
Yes, and at least one has been officially designated by the local government—CONTINUE
Yes, but none have been officially designated by the local government—CONTINUE
Not yet, but there is at least one district in the planning stages or under development
No—SKIP to SECTION 16 (Page 37)
QUESTION 48a:
Is your LAA responsible for the direct management of any cultural districts or arts &
entertainment districts? (Choose only one response)
Yes, it manages one such district
Yes, it manages multiple districts
Not yet, but it plans to manage at least one district in the future
No
QUESTION 48b:
Please provide the URL for the website home page for each of the cultural districts (or arts &
entertainment districts) that are located in your community (if applicable).
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 36
SECTION 16
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, BUILDING PUBLIC VALUE, AND ARTS ADVOCACY
QUESTION 49:
Has your community completed (or updated) a cultural plan within the past ten years (i.e., a
planning document specific to the arts and culture in your community)? (Choose only one response)
No
Yes (provide the year it was completed or most recently updated):
QUESTION 50:
Have the arts and culture been integrated into an adopted community-wide comprehensive
planning effort (e.g., a Community Foundation’s needs assessment or a city’s Master Plan)?
(Choose only one response)
No
Yes (provide the year it was completed or most recently updated):
QUESTION 51:
Have the arts and culture been integrated into the unique planning documents that have been
adopted by other agencies and organizations throughout your community, such as economic
development plans, neighborhood plans, re-development plans, transportation plans, housing plans,
etc.? (Choose only one response)
Yes—CONTINUE
No—SKIP to QUESTION 52 on Page 38
I don’t know—SKIP to QUESTION 52 on Page 38
QUESTION 51a:
Identify the other types of unique planning documents into which the arts and culture have been
integrated in your community. (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
I’m not sure, but I know that this has happened in our community
Architectural plan
Business development/improvement plan
Economic development plan
Environmental plan
Historic / preservation plan
Housing plan
Land use plan
Marketing plan
Neighborhood plan
Re-development plan
Refuse/recycling plan
Regional plan
Tourism plan
Transportation plan
Urban plan
Others (description required):
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 37
QUESTION 52:
Does your LAA have an active role in conversations around cultural planning and the role of the
arts and culture in community-wide planning efforts? (Choose only one response)
Yes, we typically lead these conversations
Yes, we participate in these conversations but we typically do not lead them
No
QUESTION 53:
Has your LAA completed or facilitated any of the following planning documents, reports, and/or
research studies? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
NONE
Annual report
Arts in education plan or research
Cultural district plan
Cultural diversity plan
Cultural equity plan
Cultural facilities plan
Cultural tourism plan
Public art master plan
Strategic plan (long-range)
Strategic plan (short-range)
Cultural asset mapping and/or research
Economic impact of the arts research/report
Social impact of the arts research/report
Research on participation in or support of the arts by the business community
Research about the role of the arts in employee recruitment, engagement, and retention
Others (description required):
QUESTION 54:
In which of the following ways is your LAA creating opportunities for civic engagement in your
community? Civic engagement encompasses the many ways that people may get involved in their
communities to consider and address civic issues. In arts-based civic engagement, the creative process
and resulting art work/experience can provide a key focus, catalyst, or space for civic participation,
whether it is becoming better informed or actively contributing to the improvement of one’s
neighborhood, community, and nation. (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
NONE
Actively connecting arts and culture to other civic issues and projects
Bringing diverse voices into public dialogues
Fostering youth engagement
Funding artists, projects, and/or organizations that boost civic engagement
Hosting training and exchanges for artists and cultural organizations that are doing (or are interested
in doing) civic engagement work
Providing leadership to link cultural and civic entities
Sponsoring arts-based civic participation programs and/or activities
Others (description required):
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 38
QUESTION 55:
Does your LAA give out annual awards or other annual recognition to members of any of the
following groups in order to publicly recognize their support of or contribution to the arts and
culture in your community? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
NONE
Yes, to arts organizations
Yes, to individual artists
Yes, to businesses
Yes, to business leaders
Yes, to education administrators (e.g., principals, superintendents, school board members)
Yes, to educators (e.g., teachers, professors)
Yes, to students
Yes, to elected officials
Yes, to other government officials and/or staff
Yes, to foundations and/or members of the private funding community
Yes, to individual patrons/donors
Yes, to citizen advocates
Others (description required):
QUESTION 56:
Is your LAA involved in using the arts to address community development issues (either through its
own programming, or through the programming of a grantee)? Examples of community
development issues can include homelessness, health and wellness, substance abuse, economic
development, community identity and branding, and more. (Choose only one response)
Yes—CONTINUE to QUESTION 56a on Page 40
No—SKIP to QUESTION 57a (Page 41)
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 39
QUESTION 56a:
Tell us about your LAA's involvement in using the arts to address any of the following community
development issues. Does it address any of the following issues directly through your own programs and
services? Or, does it address any of these issues indirectly through the programs and services of its
grantees? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
Community Development Issue
Aging
At-risk youth
Civic engagement
Contested history
Crime prevention / violence
Cultural or racial awareness
Cultural preservation
Displacement
Economic development
Education
Environmental issues
Health, wellness, and medicine (mental)
Health, wellness, and medicine (physical)
Homelessness
Housing
Hunger / food justice
Illiteracy / literacy
Immigration
Imprisonment/rehabilitation
Local food movement
Public safety
Social equity
Substance abuse
Teen pregnancy
Tourism / community identity / branding
Transportation
Use of public space
Other / Miscellaneous / Not listed above
DIRECTLY
We address this issue
through OUR OWN
PROGRAMMING
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
INDIRECTLY
We address this issue
THROUGH A GRANT
OR CONTRACT
Page 40
QUESTION 57a:
In your opinion, rank the three arts advocacy arguments that are most effective at getting the
attention of ELECTED OFFICIALS in your community. Rank only your top three choices where
“1” is your choice as the most effective advocacy argument and “3” is your third most effective
advocacy argument.
The arts for arts’ sake
Arts and aging
Arts and at-risk youth
Arts and business
Arts and civic engagement
Arts and community development
Arts and community livability
Arts and health in the military
Arts and healthcare (general)
Arts and improving the quality of life
Arts and jobs/employment
Arts and the 21st century workforce
Arts and the environment
Arts in education
Arts, immigration, and naturalization
Arts, prisons, and rehabilitation
Arts, transportation, and infrastructure
Creative placemaking
Creativity and innovation
Cultural preservation
Cultural tourism
Economic impact of the arts
Public access to the arts
STEM to STEAM
QUESTION 57b:
In your opinion, rank the three arts advocacy arguments that are most effective at getting the
attention of BUSINESS LEADERS in your community.
The arts for arts’ sake
Arts and aging
Arts and at-risk youth
Arts and business
Arts and civic engagement
Arts and community development
Arts and community livability
Arts and health in the military
Arts and healthcare (general)
Arts and improving the quality of life
Arts and jobs/employment
Arts and the 21st century workforce
Arts and the environment
Arts in education
Arts, immigration, and naturalization
Arts, prisons, and rehabilitation
Arts, transportation, and infrastructure
Creative placemaking
Creativity and innovation
Cultural preservation
Cultural tourism
Economic impact of the arts
Public access to the arts
STEM to STEAM
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 41
QUESTION 57c:
In your opinion, rank the three arts advocacy arguments that are most effective at getting the
attention of PRIVATE FUNDERS in your community.
The arts for arts’ sake
Arts and aging
Arts and at-risk youth
Arts and business
Arts and civic engagement
Arts and community development
Arts and community livability
Arts and health in the military
Arts and healthcare (general)
Arts and improving the quality of life
Arts and jobs/employment
Arts and the 21st century workforce
Arts and the environment
Arts in education
Arts, immigration, and naturalization
Arts, prisons, and rehabilitation
Arts, transportation, and infrastructure
Creative placemaking
Creativity and innovation
Cultural preservation
Cultural tourism
Economic impact of the arts
Public access to the arts
STEM to STEAM
QUESTION 57d:
In your opinion, rank the three arts advocacy arguments that are most effective at getting the
attention of INDIVIDUAL DONORS in your community.
The arts for arts’ sake
Arts and aging
Arts and at-risk youth
Arts and business
Arts and civic engagement
Arts and community development
Arts and community livability
Arts and health in the military
Arts and healthcare (general)
Arts and improving the quality of life
Arts and jobs/employment
Arts and the 21st century workforce
Arts and the environment
Arts in education
Arts, immigration, and naturalization
Arts, prisons, and rehabilitation
Arts, transportation, and infrastructure
Creative placemaking
Creativity and innovation
Cultural preservation
Cultural tourism
Economic impact of the arts
Public access to the arts
STEM to STEAM
QUESTION 57e:
If your LAA’s most effective advocacy arguments are not listed in the questions above, please
describe them and the audiences whose attention they capture.
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
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SECTION 17
ARTS AND HEALTH IN THE MILITARY
QUESTION 58:
Does your LAA engage with any military and/or veteran constituencies in your community, either
through your own arts programming or through the programming of a grantee? (Choose only one
response)
Yes—CONTINUE
No—SKIP to SECTION 18 (Page 45)
QUESTION 58a:
With which of the following military and/or veteran constituencies has your LAA engaged, and did
you do so through your own programming and/or through the programming of a grantee?
(CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
Military and/or Veteran Constituency
Active duty servicemembers
Caregivers (e.g., VA doctors, nurses)
Military family members (e.g., parents, spouses, children)
Older veterans
Post-deployment servicemembers
Pre-deployment servicemembers
Wounded servicemembers
Healthcare providers
Others / Miscellaneous / Not listed above
We engaged with
this
military/veteran
constituency
through our OWN
PROGRAMMING
We engaged with
this
military/veteran
constituency
through the
programming of a
GRANTEE
QUESTION 58b:
Which of the following types of arts experiences has your LAA provided or funded for the military
constituencies in your community? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
NONE
Acting
Dance
Music-making
Opportunities to attend the arts (e.g., concerts, theatre performances)
Painting, drawing, sculpting (i.e., visual art)
Play-writing
Writing programs
Others (description required):
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 43
QUESTION 58c:
With which of the following organizations has your LAA partnered for military engagement
programs in your community? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
NONE
Hospitals
Local government agencies
Local military support groups
Mental health clinics
Military bases
Other advocacy organizations
Other arts and culture organizations
Veterans Administration (VA) facilities
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
Others (description required):
QUESTION 58d:
Which of the following challenges has your LAA encountered when trying to develop and/or fund
arts programming for military constituencies in your community? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
NONE
Arts practitioners who are UNACCUSTOMED to working in military environments
Arts practitioners who are UNWILLING to work in military environments
Difficulty communicating and interacting with the military
Lack of access to servicemembers, veterans, and/or their families
Lack of funding and/or resources
Lack of interest or unwillingness from military constituencies
Lack of training to handle arts in health environments
Others (description required):
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 44
SECTION 18
YOUR LAA’s OPERATING SUPPORT AND REVENUE
QUESTION 59:
What was the END date of your LAA’s most recently completed fiscal year? For the purpose of this
Census project, use the fiscal year that ended most recently and for which your LAA has accurate
financial records.
Month:
Day:
Year:
QUESTION 60:
OPERATING SUPPORT AND REVENUE
Provide the dollar amounts of revenue and financial support that your LAA received for each
itemized category during its most recently completed fiscal year (identified in the response to
Question 59 above). Use the itemized categories of revenue and support listed in the table below.
Amounts should include all money received by your LAA, including pass-through and re-granting
dollars. All blank responses will be considered zeroes ($0). (ENTER WHOLE NUMBERS ONLY)
EARNED REVENUE:
All EARNED REVENUE
$
CONTRIBUTED INCOME:
FOUNDATIONS
$
CORPORATIONS (including corporate foundations and matching gifts)
$
INDIVIDUALS (e.g., private donations, workplace giving, and bequests)
$
Support from PRIVATE PARENT ORGANIZATIONS
$
OTHER CONTRIBUTED INCOME not listed above
$
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT:
Funds received from CITY government sources
$
Funds received from COUNTY government sources
$
Funds received from UNIFIED CITY/COUNTY government sources
$
(i.e., a city and county that have merged into a single jurisdiction)
Funds received from STATE ARTS AGENCIES
$
Funds received from OTHER STATE government sources
$
Funds received from the NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS
$
Funds received from OTHER FEDERAL government sources
$
MISCELLANEOUS REVENUE:
In-Kind Contributions
$
All other MISCELLANEOUS support and revenue
$
TOTAL LAA OPERATING SUPPORT AND REVENUE
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
$
Page 45
QUESTION 61:
Approximately what percentage of your LAA’s total support and revenue during your most
recently completed fiscal year was allocated to general operations/unrestricted support versus
project-specific/restricted support? (THE TOTAL MUST EQUAL 100 PERCENT)
Unrestricted Support/General Operations
%
Restricted Support/ Project-Specific
%
TOTAL
100 %
QUESTION 62:
Provide the total dollar amount of pass-through revenues that your LAA handled during its most
recently completed fiscal year. Pass-through revenues are dollars received from another source that can
be used for redistribution only, often in the form of a competitive grants process.
$
QUESTION 63:
Does your LAA have an endowment? (Choose only one response)
Yes—CONTINUE
No—SKIP to SECTION 19 (Page 47)
QUESTION 63a:
Is your LAA’s endowment restricted or unrestricted? (Choose only one response)
Restricted
Unrestricted
Other (description required):
QUESTION 63b:
What is the estimated value of your LAA’s endowment?
$
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 46
SECTION 19
THE USE OF DEDICATED TAXES TO SUPPORT THE ARTS
QUESTION 64:
Are revenues generated by any local option taxes used directly to support the arts in your
community? A local option tax is a special-purpose tax levied at the city or county level and used as a
means of raising funds for specific local or area projects. They require either a public referendum (i.e., a
vote) or a policy ordinance before they can be implemented. (Choose only one response)
Yes—CONTINUE
No—SKIP to SECTION 20 (Page 51)
QUESTION 64a:
Which of the following local option taxes currently are used to provide revenue for the arts and
culture in your community? (CHECK ONE RESPONE FOR EACH ROW)
Local Option Taxes
That Support the Arts
Admissions / amusement tax
Alcohol / liquor / beverage tax
Billboard tax
Cable television tax
Car rental tax
Cigarette / tobacco tax
Community development tax
Food / meal tax
Hotel / motel / lodging tax
Income tax
Lottery / gambling / gaming tax
Parking tax / parking meter fees
Percent-for-Art
Property tax
Sales tax
CD / video / game rental tax
Others
YES, by a Local
Policy Ordinance
YES, by Public
Referendum
YES, but I’m not
sure how it works
QUESTION 64b:
If you used the "Others" category in the question above, please describe the additional types of
local option taxes that are used to support the arts and culture in your community.
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 47
QUESTION 64c:
Does your LAA receive or otherwise handle any of these local option tax dollars? (CHECK ALL
THAT APPLY)
Yes, we receive operating revenue from the local option tax dollars
Yes, we receive pass-through revenue that we then re-grant into the community
No, those local option tax dollars don’t touch my LAA’s budget
Others (description required):
QUESTION 64d:
Briefly describe any important or unique information that will help us understand how these local
option tax dollars are calculated, collected, and/or disseminated.
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 48
SECTION 20
YOUR LAA’s OPERATING EXPENDITURES
QUESTION 65:
Provide the dollar amounts of total operating expenditures made by your local arts agency (LAA)
during its most recently completed fiscal year (identified previously in your response to Question 59).
Use the itemized categories of expenditure listed in the table below. Amounts should include all money
spent by your LAA, including pass-through re-granting dollars. All blank responses will be considered
zeroes ($0).
ALL OPERATING EXPENDITURES
Payroll expenses (i.e., salaries, wages, employee benefits, and payroll taxes)
$
Grants / contracts (i.e., financial support provided to organizations/artists)
$
Fund-raising (all fundraising-related expenses)
$
Advertising, marketing, and promotion
$
Public art (planning, development, installation, and maintenance)
$
Cultural facility management
$
Administrative overhead (e.g., rent, utilities, supplies)
$
Delivery of programs and/or services
$
Cultural programming (i.e., production of events and performances)
$
Others / miscellaneous / not listed above
$
TOTAL LAA OPERATING EXPENDITURES
$
QUESTION 65a:
If you used the "Others" category in the question above, please describe the additional categories of
expenditure for your LAA.
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 49
SECTION 21
YOUR LAA’s BUDGET HISTORY (and BALANCE SHEET, if applicable)
QUESTION 66:
Complete the table below in its entirety. If exact figures are not available, provide your best estimates.
Use the end date to determine the appropriate fiscal year for each line. For example, if your LAA's fiscal
year ends on June 30, then your 2014 fiscal year is the one that started on July 1, 2013 and ended on June
30, 2014. All blank responses will be considered zeroes ($0). (ENTER WHOLE NUMBERS ONLY)



In COLUMN 1—Provide your LAA's total REVENUES for each of the five fiscal years
listed (FY2011 through FY2015).
In COLUMN 2—Provide your LAA's total EXPENDITURES for each of the five fiscal
years listed (FY2011 through FY2015).
In COLUMN 3—Provide the total amount of local government support and revenue that
was received by your LAA during each of the five fiscal years listed. Local government
support includes revenue from both city and county government sources. The answer should be a
subset of (or possibly equal to) the answer in Column 1.
Fiscal Year that ENDED (or will
end) during:
Fiscal Year 2011
COLUMN 1:
Total
REVENUES
Received by
your LAA
$
COLUMN 2:
Total
EXPENDITURES
Made by your
LAA
$
COLUMN 3:
Total
LOCAL
GOVERNMENT
SUPPORT
(city and/or
county)
Received by your
LAA
$
Fiscal Year 2012
$
$
$
Fiscal Year 2013
$
$
$
Fiscal Year 2014
Fiscal Year 2015
$
$
$
$
$
$
(estimate, if needed)
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 50
QUESTION 66a:
Complete the table below in its entirety by providing the following information from your LAA’s
balance sheet. If exact figures are not available, please provide your best estimates. Use the end date to
determine the appropriate fiscal year for each line. For example, if your LAA's fiscal year ends on June
30, then your 2014 fiscal year is the one that started on July 1, 2013 and ended on June 30, 2014.
(ENTER WHOLE NUMBERS ONLY) If you previously identified your LAA as an agency,
department, division, or program that is part of the local government, you may skip this question
and skip to Section 22 (Page 52).
Fiscal Year that
ENDED (or will
end) during:
Fiscal Year 2011
TOTAL
ASSETS
$
Fiscal Year 2012
$
Fiscal Year 2013
Fiscal Year 2014
Fiscal Year 2015
(if available)
TOTAL
LIABILITIES
$
NET ASSETS
RESTRICTED
UNRESTRICTED
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 51
SECTION 22
GRANT-MAKING AND OTHER DIRECT FINANCIAL SUPPORT
QUESTION 67:
Does your LAA provide direct financial support in the form of grants or contracts (including regranting programs)? (Choose only one response)
Yes, only to organizations, programs, and/or facilities—CONTINUE
Yes, only to individual artists—CONTINUE
Yes, to BOTH organizations and individual artists—CONTINUE
No—SKIP to SECTION 25 (Page 58)
QUESTION 67a:
Does your LAA provide non-traditional direct financial support such as low-interest loans or
venture capital-style funding mechanisms? (Choose only one response)
Yes
No
QUESTION 67b:
Does your LAA currently utilize any of the following web-based grant/funding management
systems (i.e., e-grantmaking)? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
NO/None
Agate Software—Grants Management
Bromelkamp—Akoya
Bromelkamp—eGrant
Bromelkamp—Pearl
Custom—FileMaker
Custom—Microsoft Access
Custom—Microsoft Excel
Custom—Other
CyberGrants—Grants Management System
Dulles Technology Partners—WebGrants
Foundant Technologies—Foundant GLM
Good Done Great
Micro Edge—Gifts Online
Oceanpeak—Common Grant Application
Salesforce—NPower, FoundationConnect
Salesforce—Other
Salesforce—Utah Dept of Heritage & Arts, Community Grants App
Slideroom—Applicant Management
Slideshow
WESTAF—CGO
WESTAF—GO
Wizehive—Grants Management System
Others (description required):
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 52
QUESTION 67c:
Did your LAA conduct a united arts fund (UAF) campaign during your most recently completed
fiscal year? A UAF campaign is a combined or federated appeal for arts funding conducted annually to
raise unrestricted money on behalf of three or more arts and culture organizations. Workplace giving
campaigns are a common example of united arts fund revenues. (Choose only one response)
Yes
No
No, we used to conduct a UAF campaign, but we don’t anymore
No, but we are interested in, or are planning to start, a UAF campaign
QUESTION 67d:
Does your LAA have funding programs that require the recipient of the funds to demonstrate any
of the following? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
NONE
A mission that states a focus on serving a specific culture or ethnicity
Board diversity
Staff diversity
Artist diversity
Artist commission diversity
Audience diversity
Change in diversity over time
Others (description required):
QUESTION 67e:
Does your LAA require—for at least one of its funding programs—that panels consider the issue of
diversity when making funding decisions? (Choose only one response)
Yes, we have a written policy
Yes, this is a consideration but there is no written policy
No
QUESTION 67f:
Does your LAA consider the issue of diversity when choosing the participants in funding review
panels? (Choose only one response)
Yes, we have a written policy
Yes, this is a consideration but there is no written policy
No
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
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Page 53
SECTION 23
FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO ORGANIZATIONS, PROGRAMS, AND/OR FACILITIES
This section is dedicated to your LAA’s activities as a provider of direct financial support to
ORGANIZATIONS, PROGRAMS, and/or FACILITIES. This section excludes individual artists and
fiscal sponsors acting on behalf of individual artists. We will ask about financial support for individual
artists separately in the next section, if applicable to your LAA.
QUESTION 68a:
Does your LAA provide direct financial support to organizations, programs, and/or facilities that
do not have official 501c3 nonprofit status (e.g., unincorporated organizations and/or for-profit
businesses)? (Choose only one response)
Yes
No
I don’t know
QUESTION 68b:
Does your LAA provide direct financial support to at least one intermediary organization with the
intent that the intermediary organization will then provide support or services to individual artists?
(CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
Yes—the intermediary organization provides financial support to individual artists (e.g., grants)
Yes—the intermediary organization provides non-monetary services to individual artists
No
I don’t know
Other (description required):
QUESTION 68c:
How many funding requests did your LAA receive from organizations, programs, and/or facilities
during its most recently completed fiscal year? Fill out the table below. (ENTER WHOLE NUMBERS
ONLY)
The number of requests that received NO funding from your LAA
#
The number of requests that received PARTIAL funding
#
The number of requests that received FULL funding
#
TOTAL NUMBER OF FUNDING REQUESTS RECEIVED
#
QUESTION 68d:
How many dollars did your LAA award to funding requests from organizations, programs, and/or
facilities during its most recently completed fiscal year? Fill out the table below. (ENTER WHOLE
NUMBERS ONLY)
Total dollars REQUESTED BY organizations, programs, and/or facilities
$
Total dollars AWARDED TO organizations, programs, and/or facilities
$
Minimum amount awarded
$
Maximum amount awarded
$
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 54
QUESTION 68e:
Approximately what PERCENTAGE of the total direct financial support that your LAA provided
to organizations, programs, and/or facilities was received by your LAA from the following revenue
sources during the most recently completed fiscal year? Fill out the table below. If exact figures are
not available, use your best estimates. The total must equal 100 percent. (ENTER WHOLE NUMBERS
ONLY)
Public/government dollars
%
Private dollars
%
TOTAL
100 %
QUESTION 68f:
Approximately what PERCENTAGE of the total direct financial support provided by your LAA to
organizations, programs, and/or facilities falls into the categories below? An example of funding for
a non-arts organization would be funding that your LAA provided to a church for arts programming. Fill
out the table below. If exact figures are not available, use your best estimates. The total must equal 100
percent. (ENTER WHOLE NUMBERS ONLY)
ARTS and culture organizations, programs, and/or facilities
%
NON-ARTS organizations, programs, and/or facilities (for arts programming)
%
TOTAL
100 %
QUESTION 68g:
Select all the categories of direct financial support that your LAA provides to organizations,
programs, and/or facilities. (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
Artistic and cultural programming
Arts education programming
Audience development
Capital projects (including adaptive re-use of non-arts facilities for artistic purposes)
Community development
Cultural tourism
Facility management
General operating support
Marketing / advertising / media relations
Professional development
Project support
Support for non-arts organizations that want to use the arts to further their mission
Technical assistance
Travel support
Others (description required):
QUESTION 68h:
Does your LAA limit the percentage of an organization’s budget (or a project’s budget) that it will
fund? (Choose only one response)
Yes
No
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 55
SECTION 24
FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS
This section is dedicated to your LAA’s activities as a provider of direct financial support to
INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS. This section excludes financial support to organizations, programs, and
facilities. We asked about those in the previous section, if applicable.
QUESTION 69a:
How many funding requests did your LAA receive from INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS during its most
recently completed fiscal year? Fill out the table below. (ENTER WHOLE NUMBERS ONLY)
The number of requests that received NO funding
#
The number of requests that received PARTIAL funding
#
The number of requests that received FULL funding
#
TOTAL NUMBER OF FUNDING REQUESTS RECEIVED
#
QUESTION 69b:
How many total dollars did your LAA award to funding requests from INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS
during its most recently completed fiscal year? Fill out the table below. (ENTER WHOLE NUMBERS
ONLY)
Total dollars REQUESTED BY individual artists
$
Total dollars AWARDED TO individual artists
$
Minimum amount awarded
$
Maximum amount awarded
$
QUESTION 69c:
Approximately what PERCENTAGE of the total direct financial support that your LAA provided
to INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS was received by your LAA from the following revenue sources during
the most recently completed fiscal year?? Fill out the table below. If exact figures are not available, use
your best estimates. The total must equal 100 percent. (ENTER WHOLE NUMBERS ONLY)
Public/government dollars
%
Private dollars
%
TOTAL
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
100 %
Page 56
QUESTION 69d:
Select all the categories of direct financial support that your LAA provides for individual artists in
your community. (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
Awards / prizes / commendations
Commissions
Fellowships
Grants
Professional development grants (e.g., conference registrations, training/seminar fees)
Residencies
Retreats/renewal
Scholarships
Special projects
Teaching / artists in schools
Others (description required):
QUESTION 69e:
Select all the artistic disciplines for which your LAA provides direct financial support to individual
artists in your community. (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
NO RESTRICTIONS
Architecture
Design
Film
Folk and traditional arts
Interdisciplinary arts
Literature
Media and electronic arts
Performance art
Performing arts—Dance
Performing arts—Music
Performing arts—Musical Theatre
Performing arts—Theatre
Public art
Video
Visual arts—Ceramics
Visual arts—Craft
Visual arts—Drawing
Visual arts—Painting
Visual arts—Photography
Visual arts—Printmaking
Visual arts—Sculpture
Visual arts—Textiles
Others (description required):
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 57
THE REST OF THIS QUESTIONNAIRE SHOULD BE COMPLETED
BY A CHIEF STAFF EXECUTIVE OF YOUR LOCAL ARTS AGENCY ONLY
SECTION 25
CURRENT FINANCIAL HEALTH & CONDITION OF YOUR LAA
QUESTION 70:
Which of the following describes how your LAA finished its most recently completed fiscal year?
(Choose only one response)
With an operating SURPLUS (i.e., revenues were greater than expenditures)
With an operating DEFICIT (i.e., expenditures were greater than revenues)
In a BREAK EVEN position (i.e., revenues matched expenditures)
QUESTION 70a:
Briefly describe any important or unique circumstances that led to the situation that you identified
in Question 72 above. For example, did you spend cash reserves—or require a local government
subsidy—in order to reach a break even position? Or did you receive multi-year funding that gave you a
surplus, which you will spend in the current fiscal year?
QUESTION 71:
How much cash (including cash reserves) does your LAA have readily available right now?
(Choose only one response)
None ($0)
Less than 1 month of expenses
1 month of expenses
2-3 months of expenses
4-6 months of expenses
More than 6 months of expenses
Not applicable—remaining money rolls back into the municipal general fund (public, government LAAs only)
Not applicable (description required if different than above):
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
FINAL AND APPROVED (April 28, 2015)
Page 58
QUESTION 72:
Has your LAA taken any of the following organizational management actions with regard to
HUMAN CAPITAL during the past twelve months? Are you considering any of these actions
during the next twelve months? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
HUMAN CAPITAL
NONE
Increase staff size
Reduce staff size
Freeze replacement hires (i.e., not replace those who left)
Give performance-based compensation increases
Give cost-of-living-based compensation increases
Freeze or reduce salaries
Rely more on volunteers
Reduce staff hours (e.g., shorter weeks, furloughs)
Increase the use of board/commission members
Other management actions (HUMAN CAPITAL)
My LAA
Has Taken
This Action
During the
PAST
12 Months
My LAA Is
Considering
This Action
During the
NEXT
12 Months
QUESTION 72a:
If you used the "Others" category in the questions above, please describe the additional types of
HUMAN CAPITAL management actions that your LAA has taken or is considering.
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QUESTION 73:
Has your LAA taken any of the following organizational management actions with regard to
FINANCE AND OPERATIONS during the past twelve months? Are you considering any of these
actions during the next twelve months? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
FINANCE AND OPERATIONS
NONE
Collaborate with other organizations to reduce expenses
Merge into a private organization or facility
Merge into an existing local government agency or department
Change the primary way we raise and spend money
Advocate to local government for support/funding
Upgrade technology to improve efficiency
Reduce or eliminate programs and/or services
Add or expand programs and/or services
Delay vendor payments
Secure a new bank loan
Use an existing line of credit
Borrow from a partner or parent organization
Add to reserve funds/endowment
Use reserve funds/endowment
Other management actions (FINANCE AND OPERATIONS)
My LAA
Has Taken
This Action
During the
PAST
12 Months
My LAA Is
Considering
This Action
During the
NEXT
12 Months
QUESTION 73a:
If you used the "Others" category in the questions above, please describe the additional types of
FINANCE AND OPERATIONS management actions that your LAA has taken or is considering.
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SECTION 26
QUALITATIVE & QUANTITIVE EVALUATION OF YOUR LAA’s IMPACT
QUESTION 74:
In your opinion, how successfully has your LAA integrated the arts and culture into the daily life of
your community (based on the recognition of its importance by local government, businesses,
funders, the general public, etc.)? (Choose only one response)
Extremely successfully
With a fair amount of success
With little success
Not at all successfully
We don’t view this as our role in the community
Other (description required):
QUESTION 75:
Does your LAA collect information/data for the purpose of evaluating the impact of its programs
and services? (Choose only one response)
Yes—CONTINUE
No—SKIP to QUESTION 76 below
QUESTION 75a:
Which of the following methods are used by your LAA to collect information/data for the purpose
of evaluating the impact of its programs and services? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
The organizations that benefit are asked to write a narrative and/or financial report
The artists that benefit are asked to write a narrative and financial report
We use the data and reporting features that are available from the Cultural Data Project (CDP)
We interview representatives of the organizations that benefit from our programs/services
We interview the artists that benefit from our programs/services
We interview civic and community leaders
We survey the organizations that benefit from our programs/services
We survey the artists that benefit from our programs/services
We survey individual participants in our programs (e.g., audiences, general public)
We use (observable) benchmarks and indicators to gauge our impact in the community
We track the attendance to the organizations and programs that we serve
We track the ticket sales of the artists, organizations, and programs that we serve
Others (description required):
QUESTION 76:
Does your local government provide standard metrics for evaluation and require your LAA to use
them to evaluate its programs, services, and/or community impact? (Choose only one response)
Yes
No
QUESTION 77:
During the past 12 months, has your LAA been required by any funders to provide them with an
evaluation of the community impact of your programs and/or services? (Choose only one response)
Yes
No
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QUESTION 78:
Are there factors that hinder your LAA from evaluating the impact of its programs and/or
services? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
NONE
Not enough time for staff or board/commission members to do it
Don’t have the correct expertise on our staff or board/commission
Don’t have the correct tools and/or information
Don’t have the resources to engage with an outside expert
Lack of financial resources
Don’t have the necessary technology or computer systems
Grantees confuse “outputs” with “outcomes”
No one asks for it
Others (description required):
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
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SECTION 27
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE FOR YOUR LAA AND YOUR COMMUNITY
QUESTION 79:
Looking ahead to 2016, what is the financial outlook for your local arts agency? In other words, for
your LAA, financially the next year or two will be … (Choose only one response)
Easier than it is in 2015
About the same as it is in 2015
More difficult than it is in 2015
QUESTION 80:
How strongly do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements about your LAA?
(Choose one response per statement)
Strongly
Agree
Somewhat
Agree
Neutral
Somewhat
Disagree
Strongly
Disagree
My LAA has the right
management team and
staff in place.
My LAA is part of the
right networks and have
access to the right external
experts.
My LAA’s current
organizational mission and
goals are appropriate.
My LAA currently has the
correct mix of financial
resources.
My LAA currently has an
appropriate level of
diversity among the staff,
board and volunteers.
My LAA’s staff, board,
and volunteers will need
professional development
in order to keep up with
the needs of our
constituents.
My LAA currently offers
the programs and services
that will achieve the
deepest impact in our
community.
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QUESTION 81:
During the past two years, has your LAA experienced new or increased competition from any other
organizations located within its geographic service area that provide similar programs and/or
services? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
No
Yes, from another arts organization or arts service organization
Yes, from a funder
Yes, from a NON-arts organization
Yes, from others (description required):
QUESTION 82:
Looking ahead to 2016, what is the financial outlook for your constituents (i.e., the organizations
and the people that your LAA serves)? In other words, for your constituents, financially the next year
or two will be … (Choose only one response)
Easier than it is in 2015
About the same as it is in 2015
More difficult than it is in 2015
QUESTION 83:
In 2016, do you anticipate that the overall service needs of your constituents will change? (Choose
only one response)
Demand will increase significantly
Demand will increase modestly
Demand will stay about the same
Demand will decrease modestly
Demand will decrease significantly
QUESTION 84:
In the next three years, do you foresee a change in your community's overall level of arts funding
from each of the following sources? Answer with your expectation for funding levels for the entire arts
community, NOT just for your LAA. (CHECK ONE FOR EACH REVENUE SOURCE LISTED)
Source of Revenue
Increase
No
Change
Decrease
N/A
Earned revenue
Individual donations
Corporate contributions
Foundation grants/support
Local government funding for the arts
State government funding for the arts in your community
Federal government funding for the arts in your community
QUESTION 85:
How important is arts funding from STATE government sources (e.g., from your state arts agency)
in leveraging funding from your local government? (Choose only one response)
Extremely important
Somewhat important
Neither important or unimportant (neutral)
Not very important
Not at all important
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QUESTION 86:
How important is arts funding from FEDERAL government sources (e.g., from the National
Endowment for the Arts) in leveraging funding from your local government? (Choose only one
response)
Extremely important
Somewhat important
Neither important or unimportant (neutral)
Not very important
Not at all important
QUESTION 87:
In your opinion, rank your entire community’s top THREE priorities during the next 24 months.
Most of the categories below were identified by municipal leaders as their key areas of focus on the 2014
Local Economic Conditions Survey, conducted by the National League of Cities. Rank only your top
three choices where “1” is your choice as the most critical priority for your entire community and
“3” is your third most critical priority.
Aging population
Affordable housing
Business attraction/recruitment
Business retention
Community development / neighborhood development
Downtown/commercial re-development
Environmental sustainability
Immigration / changing demographics
Infrastructure / transportation
Integration of returning veterans
K-12 education
Prisons and rehabilitation
Public safety
Safety net services
Small businesses / entrepreneurial support
Tourism / entertainment
Workforce / job training
Other / miscellaneous / not listed above
QUESTION 87a:
If you used the "Other" category in the question above, please describe the additional key priority
that you identified for your entire community.
QUESTION 88:
What will be your local arts agency’s TOP THREE PRIORITIES during the next 24 months? They
do NOT have to align with the categories listed in Question 89 above, although it is fine if they do.
1.
2.
3.
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QUESTION 89:
What will be your local arts agency’s TOP THREE CHALLENGES/CONCERNS during the next
24 months? In other words, what are your LAA’s most pressing barriers to achieving success?
1.
2.
3.
QUESTION 90:
What important topics or questions did we miss? Please use the space below to provide any other
information about your local arts agency or your community that you would like to share with us. Or feel
free to use this space to provide feedback about this LAA Census questionnaire.
2015 Local Arts Agency Census (comprehensive data collection instrument)
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