Performing Arts Research Coalition 2002: Minneapolis/St. Paul Household Survey

Produced By: Urban Institute, , Washington, DC

Funding Agency/Sponsor: The Pew Charitable Trusts

Author: Performing Arts Research Coalition

Abstract (CPANDA): As one of ten participating communities in a coordinated data collection effort organized by the Performing Arts Research Coalition (PARC), a partnership of five major national service organizations in the arts, Minneapolis-St. Paul area residents were surveyed on a series of topics related to attendance at performing arts events. Questions were asked regarding rates of participation, the perceived value of the performing arts to individuals and to communities, and barriers to greater attendance. Among other criteria, Minneapolis-St. Paul was selected as a study site because of the presence of financially and managerially strong local arts organizations and because at least three of the five disciplines encompassed by the participating national service organizations were represented there. The five participating service organizations in the PARC project were the American Symphony Orchestra League, the Association of Performing Arts Presenters, Dance/USA, OPERA America, and Theatre Communications Group. The project was coordinated by OPERA America, with research guidance from the Urban Institute, and supported by a grant from The Pew Charitable Trusts.

Methodology (CPANDA) : Princeton Survey Research Associates conducted telephone surveys of 897 random households in the Twin Cities metropolitan area between October 2002 and February 2003, according to procedures developed by the Urban Institute. The sampling frame included all active blocks of telephone numbers for Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Scott and Washington counties.

Methodology : While a response rate of 41 percent is not inconsistent with other studies of this type, it raises questions of non-response bias. To investigate the potential for such bias, we compared the characteristics of the 897 respondents with known characteristics of the population. Population estimates are based on the 2000 Census of Population and Housing. This comparison indicates that blacks, Asian/Pacific Islanders, and persons age 18-24 were underrepresented. Overall, however, there is considerable similarity between survey respondents and the population estimate on race, sex and age characteristics.