About Culture Track
Culture Track is LaPlaca Cohen’s fourth installment of our ongoing national research study of attitudes and behaviors of cultural audiences, examining trends in attendance at visual and performing arts events and the motivators and barriers that affect participation.
From this study’s inception, we have sought to go a level deeper than other studies to gain a fuller understanding of how and what arts audiences are thinking. We want to know even more about motivations and the underlying reasons for people’s interaction or non-action with culture.
This remains our goal: to help our clients better understand where the arts stand in people’s lives and how we can better inspire them to engage with the arts more often and in more meaningful ways.
What’s New in 2007
LaPlaca Cohen was pleased to welcome Antenna Audio / Discovery Communications as the research study’s sponsor this year. Antenna Audio is the world leader in audio tours and multimedia interpretation at museums and other attractions, and is a major force in helping audiences better enjoy and engage with cultural experiences.
With several years of data now available, we examined year-to-year trends and also looked into emerging areas of interest such as the use of new media as information sources and entertainment. Culture Track 2007 incorporated findings from Making Culture Count, as the study was previously known when it was conducted with The New Yorker magazine between 2003 and 2005.
About the Presentation
On December 3 LaPlaca Cohen presented the results of Culture Track 2007 and explored current issues illuminated by the study that affect arts and cultural organizations.
Our special guest was Charles Pierce, Jr., Director of The Morgan Library & Museum. Mr. Pierce shared his perspective based on his extensive and highly successful experience overseeing the recent reopening of the expanded Morgan. In a conversation with LaPlaca Cohen CEO, Arthur Cohen, Mr. Pierce shared his views on the often contentious issue of defining and measuring success in the arts environment.
The audience for Culture Track was comprised of leaders in the cultural community, including visual and performing arts organizations, philanthropy, sponsorship, media, technology, and research, all of whom contributed to a lively forum.
The discussion was hosted by The New York Times in their new headquarters building designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop. The capacity of The TimesCenter event space offered great opportunities to meet and interact with many peers and other guests.
This lively event was at an exciting time in the cultural community. Exhibition and performance calendars at New York cultural institutions were in full swing, and the opening of the New Museum of Contemporary Art on December 1 surely brought increased energy to the city’s cultural offerings.
