WASHINGTON
The number of U.S. arts organizations grew by thousands over the past 10 years, but many are now struggling with greater competition for audiences and charity dollars, according to a national study of the industry's health.
The first National Arts Index released Wednesday by the group Americans for the Arts shows the nation's arts businesses fell into their biggest slump in more than a decade in 2008. It looks at 76 indicators, including music royalties, Broadway ticket sales, museum visits, philanthropy and the number of college art majors.
The index registered an overall 4.2 percent decline for the arts sector from 2007 to 2008, though researchers say the problems began brewing much earlier.
"The issues that arts organizations are facing right now aren't simply a function of the economic downturn," said Robert Lynch, president of the group. "You can really see the arts have been losing market share in areas of private philanthropy fairly steadily for a decade now."
Some groups have failed to prepare for the lean times or adapt to changing audiences, he said.
U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter, a Democrat from New York, said the study shows the need for continued public investment in arts programs.
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