To provide and engage organizations and individuals with the evidence-based insights needed to collectively build strong, vibrant, and equitable arts communities.
We employ cutting-edge research techniques and high-powered computing to test hypotheses, build theory, and increase understanding of the arts and cultural sector. Our research efforts range from academic papers published in leading journals, applied research undertaken with community partners, and actionable insights shared directly with arts practitioners.
SMU DataArts is pursuing a three-year strategy (FY 2023- 2025) emphasizing our core identity as a leading research center. This includes deepening our research and data integration capabilities, continuing to share high-quality insights with the field, and prioritizing ways we can contribute to more equitable funding models. Read our plan.
SMU DataArts recognizes that our society is characterized by a complex web of inequities and we are committed to making research, tools, and resources accessible to all persons regardless of race, age, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, and/or socioeconomic status. We strive to conduct our work without bias or preference and we value input and creativity from diverse perspectives. We prioritize data collection and research projects that celebrate the arts and culture of communities of color, and advance equity in access to art, cultural funding, and the sector at large. We commit to contributing to a more equitable funding model for organizations rooted in, led by, or serving people and communities of color. Our equity work is a continuous process requiring ongoing input from the field, accountability, and evaluation.
Utilizing our own powerful tool, we periodically survey our staff, board, volunteers, and independent contractors to help drive strategic discussion and decision-making toward advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organization.
SMU DataArts is pursuing a three-year strategy (FY 2023- 2025) emphasizing our core identity as a leading research center. This includes deepening our research and data integration capabilities, continuing to share high quality insights with the field, and prioritizing ways we can contribute to more equitable funding models.
Building a national information resource for the cultural sector takes teamwork. Our Board and staff includes artists, enthusiasts, and devoted patrons of the organizations that we serve. We’re also just a little bit obsessed with data and how it can fuel the arts.
Dallas, TX / September 16, 2024 - SMU DataArts, a leading research center for arts and culture, is proud to announce...
Dallas, TX / May 7, 2024 – SMU DataArts announced today that Jen Benoit-Bryan, Ph.D., will assume the role of Director...
Dallas (SMU), March 14, 2024 – SMU DataArts, the National Center for Arts Research, today released the first ever Arts...
Dallas, TX / January 23, 2023 – A new study, Following the Funding: Distribution of Federal COVID-19 Relief Funds for...
Dallas (SMU), Thursday, October 26, 2023 – SMU DataArts, the National Center for Arts Research, today released its 8th...
Dallas, TX / May 4, 2023 – New research findings from SMU DataArts indicate that Local Arts Agencies (LAA) positively...
Dallas, TX / March 29, 2023 — SMU DataArts announced today that Research Director Glenn Voss, Ph.D., is retiring...
This grant will support an examination of workforce diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in a study with grantees of...
2022 Arts Vibrancy Index Includes Cities Listed for the First Time: Salt Lake City, UT; Ann Arbor, MI...
SMU DataArts today released a report examining the impact of Ford’s Arts and Culture work within its Creativity and...
SMU DataArts, the national center for arts research in the Meadows School of the Arts at SMU, has been awarded a...
Grant will help support innovative, sector-wide research, internal and external efforts toward equity in the arts, and...
DALLAS (SMU) – October 5, 2021 – SMU DataArts, the national center for arts research based at SMU Meadows School of...
DALLAS (SMU) – July 20, 2021– SMU DataArts, the national center for arts research based at SMU Meadows School of the...
DALLAS (SMU) – July 7, 2021 – SMU DataArts’ KIPI (Key Intangible Performance Indicator) Dashboard now offers automated...
DALLAS (SMU) – April 29, 2021 – As performing arts organizations in the United States emerge from pandemic closures...
DALLAS, TX - SMU DataArts today releases two new reports and a white paper looking at the financial health of the arts...
NEW YORK, March 10, 2021 – SMU DataArts, in partnership with The Wallace Foundation, today released The Alchemy of...
DALLAS, TX – SMU DataArts, a national center for arts research at Southern Methodist University, today released its...
NEW YORK, NY – SMU DataArts, in partnership with The Wallace Foundation, today released a report—The Alchemy of...
DALLAS, TX - SMU DataArts, a national center for arts research, has received a $30,000 grant from the National...
NEW YORK CITY, NY - Today, the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA), Americans for the Arts (AFTA), and SMU...
DALLAS, TX - SMU DataArts, the National Center for Arts Research at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, today...
DALLAS, TX - SMU DataArts, a national arts research center at Southern Methodist University in Dallas releases today a...
DALLAS, TX – SMU DataArts today released its latest report on national fundraising trends in the arts and cultural...
DALLAS, TX – SMU announces the merger of its National Center for Arts Research (NCAR), a leading provider of...
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DataArts, the respected national resource for in-depth data about nonprofit arts, culture, and...
PHILADELPHIA, PA - Small performing arts organizations are showcased in “Everyday Data,” a new online video series...
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DataArts, the respected national resource for in-depth data about nonprofit arts, culture, and...
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DataArts’ Board Chair, Rich Mintz, today announced the election of Caralyn Spector as the...
PHILADELPHIA, PA - Beth Tuttle, President and CEO of DataArts, announced today that she will resign from her...
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DataArts, the respected national resource for in-depth data about nonprofit arts, culture, and...
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DataArts, the respected national resource for in-depth financial and programmatic data for and...
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DataArts, the respected national resource for in-depth financial and programmatic data from the...
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DataArts, the web-based platform for centralized collection and dissemination of financial and...
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DataArts has now added a new selection of upgraded reports and capabilities to the system that...
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DataArts is looking for data-savvy arts and cultural professionals to share their organizational...
PHILADELPHIA, PA - Since becoming independent from The Pew Charitable Trusts in 2013, DataArts has secured $4.85...
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DataArts has launched the beta version of a new online data management platform and enhanced...
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DataArts has forged national partnerships to streamline data collection for the Arts and Economic...
PHILADELPHIA, PA - As cultural nonprofits seek to serve and reflect increasingly diverse communities, DataArts is...
Anh Thang Dao-Shah, PhD, joins DataArts as Senior Research Advisor, effective July 1. Dao-Shah will work closely with...
We would like to thank the data-savvy participants of the Early Adopter program who were among the first to complete...
The CDP announces that three new members have been elected to its national Board of Directors: Zenetta Drew, Executive...
The Cultural Data Project, the respected national resource for in-depth data about nonprofit arts, culture, and...
The Cultural Data Project (CDP), the most significant national resource for in-depth data about nonprofit arts...
The CDP today released a new report, Bridging the Capacity Gap: Cultural Practitioners’ Perspectives on Data, which...
The Cultural Data Project today announced that two new members have been elected to its national Board of Directors...
The Cultural Data Project, the leading resource for high-quality data on the nonprofit arts and culture sector, today...
The Cultural Data Project (CDP) today announced that Larry Bomback will join the organization as Chief Operating...
CDP is pleased to welcome Texas with its vast, varied and diverse cultural community to the Cultural Data Project.
As of April 1, the Cultural Data Project has made the big leap to independence!
After a six-month national search that attracted a large pool of extraordinary candidates from across the country, CDP...
The CDP is delighted to announce that on June 1st, Minnesota will become the 12th state to join the Cultural Data...
Arts and cultural organizations in the District of Columbia will now have access to state of the art technology to...
Arts and cultural organizations in Rhode Island will now have access to new technology to help them strengthen their...
Arts and cultural organizations in Arizona will now have access to new technology to help them strengthen their...
We are pleased to announce the launch of the Michigan Cultural Data Project (Michigan CDP).
We are pleased to announce the launches of the Massachusetts Cultural Data Project (Massachusetts CDP) and the New...
Hundreds of arts organizations across Massachusetts have access to new technology to help them strengthen their...
We are pleased to announce the launch of the Illinois Cultural Data Project (Illinois CDP), the fourth state to...
Thousands of arts organizations across California will improve the impact they have on their communities and the state...
The Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance announced today that the Cultural Data Project (CDP), a powerful data...