“The first comprehensive look at how the region’s arts and cultural organizations fared financially during the steep recession of 2009 does not present a pretty picture,” notes a September 16th article in The Philadelphia Inquirer, “Philadelphia arts’ shifting financial picture.” The article focuses on the findings of the 2011 Portfolio, a new report from the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance that used data from the Pennsylvania Cultural Data Project to assess the Philadelphia region’s arts and cultural sector.

“All has not been gloom, however,” the article continues, pointing out that individual donations were up 20 percent, despite losses in corporate, foundation and government revenue. The article notes that attendance increased as well, making Philadelphia “something of an anomaly” amidst national declines in arts attendance.

The Inquirer followed up on this news story with a September 19th editorial entitled “Region must step up support for arts groups.” The editorial notes that “loyalty to the arts demonstrates once again that culture is viewed as vital to the region’s quality of life,” but argues that the region’s “deserving” organizations need access to a source of steady, predictable funding, in the form of a regional cultural fund.

To read the news story on Philadelphia arts’ shifting financial picture, click here.

To read the editorial, “Region must step up support for arts groups,” click here.

For more on 2011 Portfolio, visit the CDP’s Research page, or click here to view the report directly.