A Cultural Data Profile (CDP) contains a single Fiscal Year of self-reported financial and programmatic data for one nonprofit organization. Financial data is drawn from audits, reviews, the IRS Form 990, or board-approved year-end financial statements. Programmatic data is drawn from a variety of organizational sources. For many organizations, our dataset includes multiple Data Profiles covering a range of Fiscal Years.

The types of data collected include basic organizational information, revenues, expenses, marketing activities, balance sheet items, investments, loans and a wide range of non-financial information (including membership and contributor numbers, attendance, pricing, facilities information, program activity, volunteers, staffing, and workplace details).

The SMU DataArts dataset comprises information provided by self-selected nonprofit entities (incorporated or unincorporated) that voluntarily enter data into a Cultural Data Profile for a number of reasons: i) to apply to an SMU DataArts-affiliated grantmaker; ii) to benefit from analytic reports and insights derived from the data, iii) to contribute to the data collection effort; or iv) to complete an integrated survey for a service organization partner. The dataset is not a comprehensive census or collection of all nonprofit or for-profit arts and culture-related organizations. The IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File (BMF) includes all active 501(c) organizations in a given calendar year and contains data from filers of three IRS information returns including Form 990, 990-EZ and 990-PF. The SMU DataArts' dataset includes an organization’s EIN (Employer Identification Number), a variable also included in the BMF that can be used to link or cross-reference the datasets.

Financial reporting differs between SMU DataArts and the IRS and should be carefully considered prior to any comparison across datasets. SMU DataArts collects data from organizations and programs based on nonprofit accounting standards and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), which are tied to audited financial statements or board-approved financial statements. The IRS Form 990, the federal information return that all 501(c)(3) organizations are required to file in lieu of tax returns, does not follow all of these standards. As a result, you may see differences in financial terms, or even numbers, when comparing these two sources of financial information.

“Aggregated data” includes summary statistics that do not identify individual organizations and are calculated by combining data from multiple organizations grouped by specific geography (states, counties, zip codes) or other parameters (disciplines, budget sizes, etc.). Most frequently, these are provided as data tables or charts with calculations performed by SMU DataArts research staff. “Disaggregated data” is a raw dataset comprised of organizational data from individual Cultural Data Profiles.

For purposes of analysis, disaggregated data requests may be granted to researchers, subject to our review and approval and researchers’ acceptance of a Data License Agreement. Regardless of the data requested (aggregated or disaggregated), any public work products making use of SMU DataArts data must report findings in aggregate only and may not identify or attribute individualized data to any individually identifiable organization.

Yes, SMU DataArts staff is available to assist with data analyses and research projects. To learn more about our research services and how we can assist you with your project, please contact us at research@culturaldata.org.

Arts, culture, and creativity are major contributors to improving quality of life within communities, and the arts and culture sector is an important component of many local economies. Information gleaned from SMU DataArts’ Workforce Demographics studies can help communities and organizations better understand the demographics of their current workforces and those of the communities in which they operate. To remain relevant to and representative of our changing society, these studies provide key information that can inform decisions that ensure all community members have access to opportunities available within the arts and culture sector.

The survey asks questions about age, location, gender identity, sexual orientation, heritage, disability status and workplace perception. All demographic questions have an "I decline to state" option.

Individuals who work for or are on the boards of participating organizations, as well as independent contractors. All responses are anonymous and your privacy will be protected. Individual responses will not be shared with any employer.

SMU DataArts will collect all data anonymously and if the participation thresholds are met your organization will receive an aggregated report. Our participation thresholds are designed to provide anonymity to all survey participants. SMU DataArts is an independent non-profit with 15 years of experience in data collection, security, and analysis. Our mission is to empower arts and cultural leaders with high-quality data and evidence-based resources and insights that help them to overcome challenges and increase impact.

SMU DataArts is committed to advancing policies and practices that support diversity, equity, and inclusion across the nonprofit sector. The SMU DataArts' workforce demographics survey is the result of robust collaboration with organizations and experts from across the nonprofit and public sector, including dozens of public and private grantmaking entities, which are conducting complementary demographic data studies.