Executive Summary

The 2022 Chorus Operations Survey Report shares how choruses’ budgets, digital and in-person programming practices, and staffing have changed due to the impact of COVID-19. It highlights the significant impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on choruses’ budgets – impacts that are consistent with what is being seen across the arts and culture sector generally. While the choruses that contributed data ended fiscal year 2020/21 in an overall healthy financial position, the report leaves no doubt that the choral field faces a period of regrowth and rebalancing.

New to this year’s report, SMU DataArts’ streamlined Cultural Data Profile allows in-depth reporting on digital and in-person offerings, including attendance numbers for each. Almost all distinct performances reported were digital, with over half of chorus programming offered as on-demand productions or programs that could be viewed anytime. Even as choruses resume more in-person activities, measuring and benchmarking the impact of digital programming will continue to be important for demonstrating overall impact.

Key Findings

• Since the pandemic, there has been a 3% increase in contributed revenue across the arts and culture sector. For choruses analyzed, the most significant types of funding are individual support (36%), followed by foundation contributions (16%). Fourteen percent of total revenue came from government sources in 2020/21. Increases were recognized in government support while individual contributions and foundation support remained fairly steady.

• Total operating revenue among choruses studied experienced a 14% decrease from fiscal year 2019 to 2021. Earned revenue plummeted in 2021 as choruses paused programming. Contributed revenue saw a 19% increase from 2019 to 2021, when much of the federal relief funding was received.

• Seventy-nine percent of choruses received some level of federal or other government relief funding since the start of COVID-19.

• Choruses analyzed reduced their expenses by 35% from fiscal year 2019 to 2021. Small and mid-sized choruses greatly reduced their expenses. Overall, choruses ended fiscal year 2020/21 with a 15% unrestricted surplus.

• Nearly two-thirds (65%) of choruses analyzed reported at least one full or part-time paid staff person. During the pandemic, choruses were relatively successful in retaining full-time staff.

• Eighty-five percent of choruses modified their program delivery in 2020/21. Over half of chorus programming in 2020/21 came from distinct on-demand productions or programs. Nearly all of these programs were produced digitally.

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