How “Small” Are Small Arts Organizations?

Abstract

Small arts organizations (SAO) have not been studied in the field of cultural policy and arts administration despite their purported importance. Through a review of the literature and extensive personal communications with professionals in the arts world, various meanings and manifestations of “smallness” across the creative sector are explored, highlighting the significant role of SAOs and their dynamic ecology. Multiple indicators of “smallness” are identified, whose possible combinations can enhance our ability to recognize both the uniqueness and sub-categories of organizations that currently are grouped into a single category of “small” arts organizations.

KEYWORDS:

• creative sector
• ecology
• small arts organization
• size

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The author wishes to thank his professors in the Arts Policy and Administration Program at the Ohio State University, Dr. Margaret Wyszomirski and Dr. Wayne Lawson, for their expert advice and feedback throughout the research and writing of this paper. He is also grateful to the many people who shared their time, knowledge, and experiences with him in the process of exploring this subject.

Notes

1. Sunil Iyengar, e-mail message to author, February 20, 2009.

2. Jan Wilson, e-mail message to author, December 2, 2008.

3. Dan Katona, personal communication with author, May 8, 2009.

4. Ruby Classen, personal communication with author, May 8, 2009.

5. Robin Pfeil, e-mail message to author, March 19, 2009; Ruby Classen, personal communication with author, May 8, 2009.

6. Vanessa White, telephone communication with author, February 17, 2009.

7. Dan Katona, personal communication with author, May 8, 2009.

8. Ilana Rose, e-mail message to author, December 5, 2008.

9. Julie Crawford, telephone communication with author, 22, 2009.

10. Julie Crawford, e-mail message to author, May 22, 2009.

11. Julie Crawford, e-mail message to author, May 22, 2009.

12. Jan Wilson, e-mail message to author, December 2, 2008.

13. Kellee Edusei, telephone communication with author, May 22, 2009.

14. John Munger, e-mail message to author, May 29, 2009.

15. John Munger, e-mail message to author, May 29, 2009.

16. John Munger, e-mail message to author, May 29, 2009.

17. John Munger, e-mail message to author, May 29, 2009.

18. John Munger, e-mail message to author, May 29, 2009.

19. John Munger, e-mail message to author, May 29, 2009.

20. Philip Katz, e-mail message to author, December 3, 2008.

21. Philip Katz, e-mail message to author, December 3, 2008.

22. John Munger, e-mail message to author, May 29, 2009.