Theatre Forward Announces Findings From Unmasking Business Success Survey

At a breakfast panel held on October 8, Theatre Forward, a national network of theaters, companies, and funders supporting 19 of America’s leading theaters, released findings from a commissioned survey of both the arts and business sectors.

Unmasking Business Success is the first research of its kind to specifically measure the impact arts engagement has on the development of skills, which executives believe are essential for success in a competitive global marketplace.The survey included senior executives from 200 corporations, nonprofits, and government agencies.

Some of the findings are as follows: 92 percent of business executives feel young people are not well prepared to enter the workforce and be successful. When directly asked, nearly 58 percent agreed that participating in the arts developed essential workplace skills required for maintaining a competitive edge. Also, 89 percent responded that they personally participated in the arts in some fashion, and a majority said the arts significantly contribute to their career success and the development of skill they use daily in their jobs.

Formerly known as the National Corporate Theatre Fund, Theatre Forward has been dedicated to advancing American theater and its communities by providing funding and other resources to the country's leading nonprofit theaters. After a strategic review to guide its future, the organization chose to adopt its new name to more accurately reflect its expanded funding outreach to include foundations and private individuals along with new program offerings, and to be more reflective of its proactive contribution to the arts community at large.

Unmasking Business Success was conducted by Shugoll Research, a market-research company.