Income from orchestra ticket sales rose seven percent from 1997 to 1998. Giving by individuals to orchestras increased almost 17 percent from 1997 to 1998.

The number of orchestras reporting budget surpluses is growing. Orchestra income increased faster than expenses during 1998. The number of orchestras reporting deficits has dropped by nearly half since 1991.

Orchestras continue to draw large audiences. The American Symphony Orchestra League reports symphonies filled about 32 million seats in 1997-1998. The National Endowment for the Arts Survey of Public Participation in the Arts calculates total classical music attendance at 88.5 million people. Orchestras secure 42 percent of their funding from concert revenue, so audience participation and marketing success have a large bearing on any symphony's bottom line.

Government support makes up about 6 percent of orchestra funding. Nearly half of those government dollars come from state arts agencies. In 1998 state arts agencies awarded $21.7 million to orchestras. Grantees included professional symphonies, community orchestras and youth orchestras. State arts agency funds provide significant support for orchestra operations, concert seasons, educational activities and commissioning new works.

• State arts agencies awarded $21.7 million to orchestras through 1,077 individual grants
• State arts agencies distributed $12.6 million in general operating support to orchestras.
• The average state arts agency grant to an orchestra was $20,000.
• Funding has increased steadily since 1992, when orchestras received an aggregate $16 million in state arts agency grants.

December 1
Artists Projects Applications

Arts in Education Artists in Residence Program - Artists

December 6-7 and 13-14
Individual Artist Fellowships review panels