Funding Changes Keep Dance Companies on Their Toes

The landscape of arts funding is shifting quickly, and for many dance companies, it can feel like the ground beneath them is constantly moving. Yet in that uncertainty, there are examples of wise decision making that remind us: the arts have always found a way forward when we lead with clarity, creativity, and values.

Dance Magazine recently explored how companies across the country are adapting to shifting foundation priorities. Their stories offer valuable lessons for all of us (read the full article here).

Take Chicago Rhythm Project. Rather than relying on broad, unspecific appeals, the article describes how they’ve begun guiding donors toward giving for particular needs that strengthen the company’s long-term health. This approach not only ensures the organization’s stability but also gives donors something tangible to feel proud of. When donors see the impact of their gifts, they are more likely to stay connected and continue giving — sustaining both the company and the community it serves.

Meanwhile, Ballet West offers a lesson in caution. Their city benefits from a dedicated sales tax that helps fund the arts, but they know those dollars aren’t guaranteed forever. Instead of becoming dependent, they are planning carefully, diversifying their strategies, and resisting the temptation of short-term comfort. That kind of foresight is vital for organizations that want to thrive for decades to come, not just this season.

And perhaps the most important reminder comes from Lauren Warnecke, the journalist covering these stories. She pulls together what she’s heard from her reporting this way:

“Universally, there is an urgent call for dance’s back offices to approach funding with the same creativity, vitality, and care that goes into artistic decision-making.”

That statement is a rallying cry for all of us in arts administration. The same spark that animates dancers onstage should also energize our fundraising strategies and organizational choices. We need to be just as creative and innovative as the artists whose work we support.

A Call to Action

As arts administrators, we have the chance — and responsibility — to reimagine how funding can support not only survival but growth. Look closely at your own organization:

• Where can you invite donors into specific, meaningful opportunities?
• Where might you be leaning too heavily on a single source of revenue?
• How can your funding strategies reflect the same creativity and care that define your artistic vision?

When we face today’s challenges with clear eyes that acknowledge the challenges and grounded values, we don’t just weather the storm — we build new systems that inspire donors, engage audiences, and nurture lifelong creativity in our communities.