Research Digest #1: December 2023

December 1, 2023

A green triangle is floating in the air "Arts Service Organizations Research" is to its right in black text. Underneath is a dark green graphic titled “Understanding Organizations in a Changing Arts Ecosystem” in black text.

Welcome to the first iteration of the Understanding Arts Service Organizations in a Changing Arts Ecosystem research digest, which we will lovingly call the “ASO Research” moving forward. After months of background data analysis we are happy to share what we’ve found so far and who are the people behind the scenes making the work happen.

WHAT WE'VE DONE

Developed an Initial National ASO List
To date, we’ve requested data from the Internal Revenue Service IRS), SMU Data Arts, and National Association of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) to create an initial list of all possible ASOs operating in the United States yielding ~16K records. In order to study the universe of nonprofit ASOs, we identified eight codes within the National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities (NTEE) system that would be most likely to include ASOs. We then exported this subset of 501(c)3 data for review and analysis.

Created a Literature Review
We also analyzed 75+ existing publications as a part of the development of a literary review, with 15 specifically focused on ASOs.

Engaged in Outreach Activities
We engaged in a series of outreach activities to spread the word about the research process and ways folks could get involved. These activities included:

Contact 350+ ASO leaders across the United States via email, gathering 130+
interest form submissions in response.
Present about the research at 5 ASO affinity group meetings and field conferences.
Share details on the research to 4 listservs, including Grantmakers in the Arts and
Creative States Coalition.

Invited ASO Leaders to join ASO Advisory Cohort
One key component of the research process is the establishment of an advisory cohort of ASO leaders and experts who will help guide the development of the research methodology and ensure that every aspect of the study is grounded in the experiences of the people leading and impacted by this work. We received overwhelming interest in the Advisory Cohort, with 65+ self-nominations representing ASOs in 20+ states and every region in the United States. Invitations have gone out to 15 leaders and we hope to announce the group in our next research update.

RESEARCH TIMELINE

WHAT THE DATA SAYS

So far, the data is revealing that the majority of nonprofit organizations classified by the IRS as “arts service” or related categories in the taxonomy are not truly ASOs. For example, while we clean and review the list of nonprofits, 60% do not meet our definition of “arts service entities” (i.e. they do not maintain “a mission and/or programs and services that support or are in service to artists and arts entities.”) The data is also requiring us to continually revisit that definition, as we learn more about the many nuances of arts service programs and entities.

MEET THE TEAM

This research would not be possible without the dedicated team of arts and culture dministrators.

Take a moment to meet them and learn more about what brings them to this work.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Know an ASO leader who would be interested in learning more about the research or participating? Spread the word by forwarding this message or invite them to visit
www.consultingadc.com/asoresearch to learn more.

ADC Consulting is a fiscally sponsored project of IndieSpace. The first phase of Understanding Arts Service organizations in a Changing Arts Ecosystem is made possible with the generous support of the Mellon Foundation. ADC Consulting is a grantee of the Mellon Foundation. The research, its process, and outcomes is not a commissioned project of the foundation and does not represent its views.