The Performing arts in a new era / Kevin F. McCarthy ... [and others].

Includes bibliographical references (pages 125-137).

Also available in electronic form via the RAND Corporation Web site.

Also available as an electronic book via the World Wide Web to institutions affiliated with netLibrary, Incorporated.

Organization of the report -- Conceptual framework: What are the performing arts? -- Key dimensions of the performing arts system -- Art form -- Market sector -- Functional components -- Historical background: New model of organization -- New methods of funding -- Greater diversity and participation -- Realignment in the performing arts system -- Audiences for the performing arts: Levels of participation -- Characteristics of participants -- Factors that influence participation -- Sources of data -- Current patterns of demand -- Levels of participation -- Who participates? -- Why do they participate? -- More attendees but stable rates of attendance -- Growing participation through the media -- Consumer desire for greater flexibility -- Demographic changes -- Economic changes -- Role of technology -- Artists:creators and performers: Data sources -- Artists' characteristics -- Employment -- Career dynamics -- Increasing prominence of superstars -- More artists, fewer job opportunities -- Intellectual property questions created by new technologies -- Characteristics of performing arts organizations: Number of organizations and their disciplines -- Real output -- Programming -- Live performing arts -- Patterns of growth differ by sector and discipline -- Nonprofit performing arts venues are proliferating -- Dynamism of small, volunteer-sector performers -- Rapid growth of the performing arts infrastructure -- Increasing concentration of the recorded arts -- Impact of the Internet -- Financial situation of performing arts organizations: Earnings gap is still substantial -- Contributed income has been making up the difference -- Direct public funding declined through most of the 1990s -- Private contributions have been climbing, but funding practices are changing -- Earned income has been stable and costs do not appear to be rising -- Nonprofit performing groups remain under financial pressure -- For-profit firms also face increasing financial pressures -- Government support -- Private Philanthropy -- Diversification of income sources -- Emphasis on earned income -- Where are the performing arts headed?: Vision of the future -- Implications for the performing arts -- Considerations for policy -- Recommendations for future research.