Arts organisations report 30% decline in performances, as running costs continue to climb

The Arts Council’s 2024-25 Annual Investment Survey shows that while public investment and employment levels have remained broadly stable, rising operating costs means that a greater share of budgets has been spent on sustaining organisations and jobs, leaving less to spend on programming.

The Annual Investment Survey (AIS) is a 12 monthly survey of arts organisations funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. This year, ACNI collected data from 131 organisations funded through AFP and NL. Today’s data release focuses on the response of 82 AFP organisations that have consistently completed the survey over the past 5 years. It looks at key trends and patterns in data provided by clients. It is broken down into three sections: Workforce, Finance and Audiences. ACNI will be releasing further analysis of the entire dataset throughout the Autumn.

Key findings showed that overall employment levels in the arts have remained stable, with a focus on retaining staff and protecting employment, in spite of the difficult financial climate. Some 43% of programming was targeted at the most deprived neighbourhoods in NI, with 39%, focused on children and young people. In 2024-25, 7,376 performances were reported, a decline of 4% on the previous year and 30% when compared over the three-year timeframe.

Commenting on the report, Javier Stanziola , Director of Strategic Development and Partnerships, at the Arts Council said: “The Annual Funding Survey is one of the most important sources of data we have in the arts sector in NI. It is a set of official government statistics that provides valuable insights into some of the arts organisations we invest in, looking at their programming, employment, investment and income generation. These findings can help to shape decision making in the future and help demonstrate the value of the arts here in Northern Ireland.

“The findings show that arts organisations are not only creating thousands of jobs, but are also deeply rooted in communities, with 43% of programming reaching the most deprived areas and 39% focused on children and young people. This demonstrates the sector’s commitment and ability to deliver meaningful social and economic outcomes, and with the right investment, that impact can go even further.”

KEY FINDINGS:

WORKFORCE

Overall employment broadly stable in the constant sample; organisations are prioritising staff retention and keeping doors open.

Despite financial pressures, organisations protected employment and reported more than 1.7 million engagements in terms of visitors, participants and audiences in 2024/25.

43% of programming was targeted at the most deprived neighbourhoods in NI, with 39%, focused on children and young people. This underlines the sector’s long standing commitment to community wellbeing and youth engagement. Further targeted support to rebuild programme budgets and earned/contributed income could help restore activity levels for communities.

FINANCE

Core public investment in the arts remained stable in 2024–25. Rising operating costs meant a greater share of budgets went on sustaining organisations and jobs, leaving less for programming. As a result, activity levels declined even though public funding did not. The biggest income headwind was earned income, down 8% vs 2022–23, with contributed income (trusts/foundations, sponsorship, philanthropy) also lower and capital investment limited.

-Overall income, from all sources increased by 5% year on-year, but is 5% lower compared to three years ago.

In terms of the different sources of income…

-Contributed income (including sponsorship, fundraising, donations and trusts and foundations) fell by 2% year-on-year, with a notable reduction in income from trusts and foundations (12%).

-Earned income fell by 1% year-on-year and 8% compared to the three year timeframe. As a proportion of this, box office income (which is the main source of earned income only increased by 2% year on year

-Income from public sources increased by 8% compared to the previous year. This was helped by increased support from government departments (+16%) and ‘other’ RoI public sources (+27%).

Organisations report lower spend on programming despite stable public investment, reflecting rising operating costs crowding out delivery budgets. This suggests cost pressures (inflation, rising overheads, staffing) are eating into the budgets that otherwise would go directly to arts delivery.

ACTIVITY AND AUDIENCES

Fewer programmes/performances/participation opportunities delivered in 2024–25, the consequence of reduced programming spend.

- In 2024-25, 7,376 performances were reported, a decline of 4% on the previous year and 30% when compared over the three-year timeframe.

Engagement numbers reflect the reduction in programming.

- Known audiences for performances also fell by 15% year-on-year to under 1 million for the first time since 2021-22.

The Annual Funding Survey gathers data from organisations in receipt of National Lottery and Exchequer funding from the Arts Council’s Annual Funding Programme (AFP) and National Lottery Project Funding (NLPF), the largest financial awards made to key arts organisations every year to support year-round running costs and programming. The survey collects data on financial statements (income and expenditure), numbers of performances, participation-based events, exhibitions and festivals. It also records details of known and estimated audiences.

Full details of the Annual Investment Survey and data can be found on the resource section of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s website.