A recent study of Public Participation in the Arts by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) shows a steady decline in participation in the arts by the public.
While most of the information seems to be regarding performing arts, there is some information and data pertaining to visual arts as well. As I read at length the pamphlet of the study and the ‘data tables for researchers’ that the NEA makes available on their website, I was pleased to find that they do have data specific to art shows.
I found some interesting correlations and important economic indicators in the NEA study and drew some conclusions that I think are not favorable to art show photographers. Read on and let me know what you think. (more…)