WHITE FLIGHT – CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS

Good morning.
“And the beat goes on………….”

An Associated Press Article last month pointed out that “America's suburbs are now more likely to be home to minorities, the poor and a rapidly growing older population as many younger, educated whites move to cities for jobs and shorter commutes.”

According to a report by the Brookings Institution: “Ten states, led by Arizona, surpass the nation in a "cultural generation gap" in which the senior populations are disproportionately white and children are mostly minority. This gap is pronounced in suburbs of fast-growing areas in the Southwest, including those in Florida, California, Nevada, and Texas.”

The report went on to note: “Suburbs still tilt white. But, for the first time, a majority of all racial and ethnic groups in large metro areas live outside the city. Suburban Asians and Hispanics already had topped 50 percent in 2000, and blacks joined them by 2008, rising from 43 percent in those eight years.


The suburbs now have the largest poor population in the country. They are home to the vast majority of baby boomers age 55 to 64, a fast-growing group that will strain social services after the first wave of boomers turns 65 next year.”

What does this demographic shift mean for the arts? How will it impact our audience development and marketing efforts? What are its’ implications for fundraising – from both donors and government?

I doubt we know exactly what it means, but it is something we need to spend more time thinking about. It will impact us.

AN EXCELLENT SURVEY FROM CAAE:
Also noted last month is this excellent Arts Education Survey of the California candidates for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Congratulations to Joe Landon, Laurie Schell and the people at CAAE (California Alliance for Arts Education) for this excellent model survey instrument and report.

Have a great week.

Don’t Quit
Barry