The NEA has news for all of us. Spoiler Alert: it ain't good.

Five times over the past 25 years, the NEA and the US Census Bureau have surveyed adults in this country about their arts consumption and released the stats in what they call "the nation's largest and most representative periodic study of adult participation in arts events and activities."

 

The latest survey came out a week ago.

 

I wish I could be all rainbows and puppy dogs about the results, but unfortunately, I've gotta poop on our parade.

 

Here are some hard (to swallow) facts from the report:

 

Since 1982 . . .

• The number of adults attending musicals plays has dropped 10%. 
• The number of adults attending non-musicals plays has dropped 21%.
• The median age of adults attending musicals has increased by 6 years. 
• The median age of adults attending non-musicals plays has increased by 8 years. 
• The percentage of adults ages 18-24 attending musicals has dropped 13%.  
• The percentage of adults ages 18-24 attending non-musical plays has dropped 23%.  

To be honest, I didn't see one statistic that made me smile in the entire report.

 

If you want to read more of the report, click here.

 

We've got our work cut for us over the next 25 years, PPers.  We've got our work cut out for us.

 

But I'm game if you are . . . :-)