by Lisa Richards Toney, President and CEO,
Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP)
What’s going on?
I live in Washington, DC, as do many of my APAP colleagues. In the capital of the most influential superpower, decisions made here reverberate around the globe. Lately, those reverberations are unsettling, upsetting, disruptive and destructive.
This wide vantage allows us to act as a beacon for performing arts professionals around the US, North America and the world. And yet we in DC are on the ground; international and national news is our local news.
Right now, the landscape for arts and culture institutions is shifting rapidly, with significant implications for funding, operations and the art itself. Recent developments, including leadership changes at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, cuts to federal education and international aid programmes, and shifts in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, are reshaping the arts ecosystem.
Art and artists play a vital role in preserving history, reflecting cultures, fostering critical thought and inspiring social movements. These aren’t just abstract policy changes; they have massive, real-world consequences.
The impacts on artists and institutions are real and immediate. The Kennedy Center has seen memberships drop and audiences erode by as much as 50 percent as artists cancel engagements. Other large cultural institutions are pre-emptively sanitising their offerings and language to preserve federal funding and to avoid scrutiny.
To ensure that creative expression remains vibrant and accessible, and that society continues to benefit from what the arts provide, arts leaders must find a way through.
Adapting to a changing landscape
How do we do this? If history can provide an example, we don’t have to look far, as we mark the fifth anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are differences, of course, but the common thread is that it upended our ecosystem and changed our practices, some for the better.
APAP represents organisations of all sizes, from large venues like the Kennedy Center and Lincoln Center to smaller independent venues. Currently, the scales are tipping towards local stages, as artists like American actress Issa Rae was one of the first to move her Kennedy Center engagement to a smaller venue, DC’s Howard Theater.
If more artists shift to smaller venues, could there be an upside here? Certainly. Would it require some adaptation? Very likely. Can we get there? Yes, and we have to.
While they’re not often spotlighted, small local venues are the source from which art flows—the places where so many artists started and where it is natural for communities to connect. Now, there is an opportunity for them to become sanctuaries for creative freedom.
A community-driven approach
In times of uncertainty, strength lies in collaboration. I draw upon my African-American heritage and the idea of Ujamaa, a Swahili word which means “collective work and collective responsibility”. You are not alone with your problems. The community takes
it on. By working together, sharing resources and adapting business models, the arts sector can remain strong. That ethos must take hold.
An asset to local venues is their more personal scale. There is a greater sense of mutual responsibility and care. By going “small”, we are not conceding our power. We are protecting and harnessing it.
So, what does this business model look like and how might it shift the nature of presenting and the dynamics of our ecosystem? What needs to change in our practice? How do we ensure we come out the other side?
These are the conversations we must have collectively. They may involve rethinking touring models, expanding multi-date engagements and slimming down productions. We will require greater support of local venues, and yes, the wise counsel of
our larger venue peers. Everyone will have a voice in reshaping
the future.
The global role of the arts
The arts have always been a bridge between cultures. A recent gathering celebrating the National Ballet of China reminded me of this truth. When I met the Chinese ambassador’s wife, I grabbed her hands and said, “Listen, while some in the world may think that we are apart, through our shared artistic experiences, we are together. In the performing arts, we transcend politics.”
There are my Romanian colleagues who I wrote about last summer. They want to create something of a global chain of hands, a “We are the World” moment in defiance of those who would divide us. Around the world, history has shown that when societies face restrictive environments, artists play a crucial role in preserving expression and inspiring resilience.
What comes next?
The arts have navigated crises before. As the landscape continues to evolve, we must remain adaptive and forward-thinking.
Rather than retreating, we must affirm the fundamental values that make the arts indispensable. We are powerful, and we are worth protecting.
What we do next will define our future. Do we play it safe? No. We double down on what we know to be true.
We are humanitarians by nature, connecting people, telling stories and fostering understanding. While the political tides may fluctuate, we artists and cultural workers must remain steadfast. By staying engaged and fostering collaboration, we can ensure that creativity thrives—no matter the challenges ahead.