Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 2011, Arts Policy and Administration

Jazz, classical music, opera, musical plays, non-musical plays, ballet, and art museums/galleries are denoted collectively as the ‘benchmark arts activities' in the Survey of Public Participation in the Arts (SPPA) reports published by the National Endowment for the Arts since 1982. While the reports have documented public attendance at each benchmark arts activity, the extent and patterns of audience overlap among the activities have not been documented over the years. Given prior research findings that suggest increasingly diverse cultural consumption behavior and also given the expanding volume of interdisciplinary arts products, there exists a timely need to study reliable evidence for audience overlap in the United States. Using cross-tabulation method, this research has produced results showing audience overlap among the benchmark activities in the United States between 1982 and 2008 based on the SPPA data. The results of the research confirm significant audience overlap among all of the benchmark activities and highlight certain patterns of audience overlap in light of prior research findings on audience overlap. Further statistical and/or qualitative analysis of the results of this research should extend the implications of this research and add to the present understanding of cultural consumption behavior in the United States.

Committee: Wayne P. Lawson (Advisor); Margaret J. Wyszomirski (Committee Member) Subjects: Arts Management

Master of Arts, University of Akron, 2016, Theatre Arts-Arts Administration

The purpose of this study is to explore audience engagement efforts by local arts organizations, Neos Dance Theatre and Summit Choral Society, to determine the most impactful strategies for building and sustaining audiences for New World Performance Laboratory. This thesis also discusses the definition of development and engagement strategies in the 21st century, relationship between arts and community, and motivations and barriers related to arts attendance in order to obtain a broader knowledge of audience engagement. The strategies learned from local arts organizations may inspire other arts organizations to develop more creative strategies and to enrich the arts in the Akron community.

Committee: James Slowiak (Advisor); Beth Rutkowski (Committee Member); Elisa Gargarella PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Arts Management

Master of Arts, University of Akron, 2014, Theatre Arts-Arts Administration

This thesis examined new media technology strategies for developing audience awareness and participation in the performing arts through a case study on GroundWorks DanceTheater (GWDT), a nonprofit dance organization based in Cleveland, Ohio. The purpose of this research was to explore if and how applying advances in new media technology strategies could broaden audience awareness and participation through an existing new media engagement project. The effectiveness of this project was assessed through internal evaluations from the organization and also through collected assessments from project participants. How these strategies may serve as effective tactics to strengthening or promoting the audience development future for this Cleveland-based performing arts organization and similar non-profits is ultimately discussed.

Committee: Neil Sapienza Mr. (Advisor); Elisa Gargarella Dr. (Committee Member); Beth Rutkowski Ms. (Committee Member) Subjects: Arts Management; Dance; Demographics; Marketing

Master of Arts, University of Akron, 2017, Theatre Arts-Arts Administration

Research has long supported the benefits of the arts, specifically to students in grades K-12. Although arts programs have been decreasing over the last decade, nonprofit organizations have created strong programs that enrich students in the arts and create opportunities for collaborations with the community. The Weill Institute of Music at Carnegie Hall developed the Link Up music education outreach program to provide a beneficial means of music education in collaboration with partner host organizations and schools and has proven to be highly effective.

Committee: Elisa Gargarella (Advisor); Ramona Ortega-Liston (Committee Member); Jonathan Willis (Committee Member) Subjects: Arts Management; Music; Music Education

Master of Arts, University of Akron, 2009, Theatre Arts-Arts Administration

This thesis argues that the ongoing creation and performance of contemporary music is both vital to the cultural identity of the United States as well as an important instrument in developing audiences for classical music organizations. To support this belief, this thesis examines three chamber music ensembles: The Kronos Quartet, Bang on a Can All Stars, and eighth blackbird. These three ensembles have been successful in areas such as attracting diverse audiences of all ages and consistently performing to near or at capacity audiences, areas where other performing arts organizations constantly strive, yet continuously fall short. This thesis explores the effect that adventurous programming, combined with creative presentation, has in engaging a diverse audience base.

Committee: Durand Pope (Advisor) Subjects: Fine Arts; Marketing; Music