Research designed to serve the field.
August 29, 2026
The knowledge generated through the 2026 National Arts Service Organizations Survey will help paint a fuller picture of the ASOs working across the U.S., making it easier for organizations, artists, and arts workers to find one another, understand the ecosystem, advocate for its needs, and support each other. This research is being built with the field, not simply about it.
Your participation is part of building that shared resource. The project is grounded in community and co-created with an Advisory Cohort and Survey and Research Partners, with the goal of contributing to an open-source database of arts service organizations and strengthening the public data infrastructure for the arts. By taking the survey, you’re not only contributing information: you’re helping build a resource the field can use.
SURVEY PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
This week we are spotlighting New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA), one of our Communication Partners helping make this research a reality and ensuring that the 2026 National ASO Survey captures a richer, more representative picture of the sector.
Image Description: Lowercase connected letters N, E, F, and A and 50th below made of three orange connected lines to invoke movement.
The New England Foundation for the Arts invests in artists and communities, fostering equitable access to the arts and enriching the cultural landscape in New England and across the United States. Founded in 1976, NEFA has grown into a vital national and international leader, advancing opportunities for artists and strengthening the arts infrastructure through grantmaking, partnerships, convenings, and knowledge sharing.
NEFA’s work is made possible through generous support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the six New England state arts agencies, private foundations, corporations, and individual donors. As NEFA celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026, it continues to lead with creativity, resilience, and vision, affirming the vital role of the arts in civic life and advancing a cultural landscape where all people have equitable access to artistic expression. www.nefa.org
THE NEXT SURVEY TAKING PARTY: SEPTEMBER 9
Voices for Creative New York (VCNY) will be co-hosting the next Survey Taking Party, and we’re inviting ASOs across New York State, the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions to join us, take the survey, and get connected. It’s an opportunity not only to contribute to a national picture of the field, but to connect with other organizations working across your region. If you’re based in New York State, the Mid-Atlantic or New England regions, we hope you’ll join us!
Date & Time: Wednesday, September 9, 2026, 4:00 – 5:00pm EST
Registration: Free & required.
ENTER THE 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. The earlier your organization submits your survey, the more chances you'll have to win.
At our next party we’ll be raffling off:
Marketing & Branding Consultation with Amy Jacobus of Grounded Growth Marketing
A current marketing practices & goals intake questionnaire with 45-minute followup consult call focused on desired objectives like event or program promotion, legacy and narrative, website analysis, or another topic of your choice.
Data Analytics Strategy Session with Leonardo Figueiredo of Rila Group
A tailored data analytics consulting session to help you improve how you collect, organize, and visualize your financial, audience, and/or programmatic data.
From left to right: 1. Amy Jacobus, a white woman with thick brunette hair, rests her chin on her hand while holding an orange. She is wearing a cream satin blouse, seated at a yellow table with a citrus branch in a glass vase beside her. 2. Headshot of Leonardo Figueiredo smiling directly at the camera wearing a suit with bowtie. Photo credit: Studio 5800 and Petya Figueiredo.
SURVEY PROGRESS
Image Description: A map of the United States titled “Survey Respondents by State and Territory” with states shaded in light green to indicate survey completion progress.
We've received survey responses from 18 states! Help us reach our goal and make sure your organization gets counted.
To check out more live data updates, including the geographic location, budget size, and artistic discipline of survey respondents to date, visit the 2026 National ASO Survey Response page.
NEED HELP TAKING THE SURVEY?
There are several ways you can get help:
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.
You can also visit the ASO Research Page to learn more about the multi-phase research study this survey is a part of.
REMEMBER: The survey will collect responses through October 9, 2026 (one per organization).
