A new report by the NEA shows a grim recent and future view of dance organizations in a down economy (also covered on backstage.com).
Arts Endowment Chairman Dana Gioia puts on as positive a spin as he can on the findings, which predict as much as a 30% drop in earned income for nonprofit dance organizations in the next few years (at a time when contribution, grants, and other support will be tight, as well):
In other words, dancers and dance organizations survive and continue despite their environment. For a wonderful discussion of why, take a look at my weblog neighbor Tobi Tobias’ interchange with dancers about why they continue to do what they do.