2026 National Arts Service Organizations (ASO) Survey is LIVE
August 7, 2026
Graphic with yellow background and green banner with black text that reads “2026 National ASO Survey.” Above the banner is the Arts Service Organizations Research logo and below is a black and white illustration of a paper and pen with check boxes on it.
The 2026 National Arts Service Organizations Survey is a first-of-its-kind effort to collect information on arts service organizations operating in the United States today. It is a part of our multi-phase research study Understanding Arts Service Organizations in a Changing Arts Ecosystem, which aims to understand the role, impact, and ongoing evolution of ASOs.
ASOs are essential connective tissue within the arts
ecosystem. Help us tell their story!
Thriving arts ecosystems require support, coordination, care, and sustained infrastructure—and though their work often takes place behind the scenes, ASOs are essential connective tissue within those ecosystems. As we contend with the ongoing impact of the pandemic and a volatile societal, political, and economic environment, ASOs frequently provide benefits to the most under-resourced artists and groups.
The knowledge generated through this research will belong to and benefit the field, helping organizations, artists, and arts workers better find, understand, advocate for, and support one another. It will contribute to a growing open-source database of ASOs operating in the United States today, and, in doing so, strengthen the public data infrastructure for the arts.
WHO SHOULD TAKE THE SURVEY?
DO take this survey if you are:
an Arts Service Organization based in the United States or Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or American Samoa.
What is an Arts Service Organization?
“Arts Service Organizations” or “ASOs” are organizations whose mission and/or programs are focused on serving the artists, arts workers, and entities who deliver the arts as experiences, goods, services, and meaning to communities of all types and geographic locations.
Any organization with programs or offerings that serve artists, arts workers and arts entities may qualify as an ASO for this study, even if they primarily focus on other activities. (For example, a producing theatre company that offers a training program for directors qualifies as an ASO; a presenter that organizes impact and evaluation on arts and culture in their community qualifies as an ASO; a social service organization that engages in arts advocacy, etc.)
ASOs can be formally incorporated organizations, collectives, or informal groups, and can include regranting and intermediary organizations.
DO NOT take this survey if you are:
an individual artist and/or arts worker;
an organization based outside of the United States or Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa;
an ASO who has already closed or who will close by December 31, 2026;
a government arts agency (e.g., one of the nation's 56 state arts agencies, or a county, municipal, or other arts agency representing a local government.); or
a foundation whose majority of activities or primary purpose is grantmaking with funds that come from its existing financial assets.
The survey will collect responses through October 9, 2026 (one per organization).
GET HELP
There are several ways you can get help:
Join a Survey Taking Party! Learn more below.
Download a Google Doc version of the survey to prepare your answers and collaborate with your colleagues before submitting.
Check out the Frequently Asked Questions.
Email us your questions at research@consultingadc.com. A member of the ADC Consulting team will get back to you within approximately 2–3 business days.
Please note that some technical difficulties might not be in ADC Consulting’s control, including but not limited to Jotform’s technology or your browser, operating system, internet connection, assistive devices, and/or hardware. We will do our best to address your questions.
You can also visit the ASO Research Page to learn more about the multi-phase research study this survey is a part of.
SURVEY TAKING PARTIES
Survey Taking Parties are 60-minute virtual Zoom sessions designed as informal, drop-in office hours. Organizations can complete their surveys in real time with live help from the ADC Consulting team.
There are seven parties to choose from, with the next one taking place on Wednesday, August 12, 3:00–4:00pm EST.
Registration is free and required. Find all date options and register.
PLUS At the end of each party, we will host a raffle for free services from a cohort of nonprofit consultants. Organizations who complete their survey during a Survey Taking Party will be entered twice to win! Learn more about the ASO Survey Raffle below.
ASO SURVEY RAFFLE
Submit your survey and you'll be automatically entered in the ASO Survey Raffle for a chance to win free consulting services! Score a bonus entry when you join a Survey Taking Party.
Explore the list of prizes and details of how it works.
Understanding Arts Service Organizations in a Changing Arts Ecosystem is funded through direct investment by ADC Consulting and its collaborators, and through the generous support of two philanthropic partners: lead funding for Phase 1 from the Mellon Foundation and lead funding for Phase 2 from the Ford Foundation. Funding for Phases 3 and 4 of this research has not been identified. This research, including its process, outcomes, and/or publications, is independently led and created by ADC Consulting and is neither commissioned nor representative of their views. ADC Consulting is a fiscally sponsored project of IndieSpace.
