SMU DataArts

What are the biggest challenges for local cultural organizations? How should we be investing in and advocating for our communities? Consultants from Webb Mgmt recently undertook a project using comparative arts data to provide research and planning support for the Cultural Alliance of Niagara to address these critical questions.

Stacey McMath, senior consultant and professor at Bard College and Columbia University School of the Arts, shares details about this process along with surprising results that became a tool for advocacy and sector-building.

🔗 https://culturaldata.org/learn/data-at-work/2026/comparative-data-for-cultural-development-in-niagara-county/

Using Comparative Data to Fuel Cultural Development and Advocacy in Niagara County. DataArts Stacey McMath, senior consultant at Webb Mgmt, shares how comparative arts vibrancy data revealed surprising strengths in Niagara County, NY and how that data became a tool for advocacy and sector-building.

At SMU DataArts, we are committed to advancing the arts and culture sector through data-driven insights and impactful research.

In 2025, our team increased the number research and article publications by 71% compared to 2024. It has been a busy a year full of collaboration, meaningful engagement, and expanded investigations—exploring sector trends in finances and operations, arts vibrancy, workplace dynamics, and the evolving role of AI in nonprofit arts.

Read our 2025 Annual Report to learn more 🔗 https://buff.ly/I2kgFLC

Excited to share that SMU DataArts is a proud research partner in the launch of DREAM (Data & Research on Equity in Art Museums) — a two-year pilot program stewarded by Museums Moving Forward. DREAM brings together researchers from MMF, Black Trustee Alliance for Art Museums, Burns Halperin Report, and SMU DataArts to streamline data collection efforts for the art museum sector, with support from the Mellon Foundation.

This initiative reflects our shared commitment to data-driven decision-making and equity in the art museum field. We look forward to the insights this collaboration will surface for participating museums and the broader sector through 2027.

Learn more 🔗

PRESS RELEASE - ‘DREAM’ Pilot Launches in Partnership with Six Major US Art Museums – Museums Moving Forward PRESS RELEASE - ‘DREAM’ Pilot Launches in Partnership with Six Major US Art Museums ‘DREAM’ Pilot Launches in Partnership with Six Major US Art Museums March 31, 2026 New York, NY—DREAM (Data & Research on Equity in Art Museums) is launching a two-year pilot program in partnership with Dia...

SMU DataArts is seeking applicants for an Associate Director for Research!

This position will lead and conduct applied research and client projects, integrating quantitative and qualitative methods to produce high-quality, public-facing reports and other deliverables. A core strength of this role is the ability to translate complex data and analysis into clear, compelling narratives and actionable findings, and to coach and mentor team members in developing this capability.

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree, Master's degree is preferred.

Location: Remote or on campus at Southern Methodist University (Dallas, TX).

Salary Range: $117,000 - $125,000

Learn more 🔗 https://culturaldata.org/about/careers/

Sending our sincere gratitude to our amazing community ❤️

SMU DataArts won the Research Funds Power Hour for the third consecutive year—receiving the highest number of individual donations among all SMU research centers and earning a $2,500 bonus award from the University.

Your support helps DataArts continue its work to provide data-driven insights for the agencies, funders, and organizations shaping arts and culture across the country. It means so much to have a community that shows up, year after year.

See the results from SMU Giving Day 2026 🔗 https://givingday.smu.edu/pages/giving-day-2026-home-page

It's SMU Giving Day! 🐎

Help SMU DataArts continue its work tracking the health of the arts and cultural sector, informing policy, funding decisions, and advocacy that communities across the country depend on.

Maximize your impact between the hours of 9 AM to 11 AM CT / 10 AM to NOON ET! The research center to receive the highest number of donations during this Power Hour challenge will earn a bonus awarded by the University!

🔗 https://givingday.smu.edu/campaigns/smu-dataarts-6?referral_id=69932a1bedd728cb574d1309

Help SMU DataArts continue its work tracking the health of the arts and cultural sector, informing policy, funding decisions, and advocacy that communities across the country depend on with a gift of just $10 or more.

Wednesday, March 11 marks the eleventh annual Giving Day hosted by Southern Methodist University. Starting at midnight, this 24-hour initiative rallies the Mustang community to support scholarships, campus activities, and research.

Maximize your impact by making your donation between the hours of 9 AM to 11 AM CT / 10 AM to 12 PM ET! the research center to receive the highest number of donations during this Power Hour challenge will earn a $2,500 bonus awarded by the University!

Will you join us? 🐎

Details at the link 🔗 https://givingday.smu.edu/pages/giving-day-2026-home-page

We're thrilled to welcome Akanksha Samindla to the SMU DataArts team as our newest Data Engineer! 🎉

Akanksha will be working closely with Research Director, Wenhua Di and the rest of our research team, bringing her expertise in data science to help integrate public and private datasets into our core research workflows—with a focus on data consistency, security, and accessibility.

We're so glad to have her on board. Please join us in welcoming Akanksha in the comments below!

Learn more about who we are 🔗 https://culturaldata.org/about/

Four exceptional arts leaders have joined SMU DataArts' Advisory Board, and like us, they're all a little bit obsessed with data and how it can fuel the arts.

Welcome Jessica Feldman, Senior Research Associate for Arts and Culture at the Mellon Foundation. Jessica is a social scientist with a career advising leaders across the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors through the design and analysis of applied research.

Jeremy Johnson, President and CEO of Assembly for the Arts in Cleveland. Jeremy has more than three decades of experience working at the intersection of government, philanthropy, and nonprofit leadership in Ohio and New Jersey.

Christina You-sun Park, Executive Director of Arizona Commission on the Arts. Christina is a seasoned leader in building interdisciplinary collaborations and strengthening partnerships with local communities, national organizations, and government agencies.

And David Andersson of Bloomberg Associates. David's work with municipal arts agencies helps strengthen their cities’ cultural sectors and promote vibrant art experiences for all of their residents and visitors.

Building a national information resource for the cultural sector takes teamwork. Our advisory board includes funders, policymakers, arts leaders, and supporters. Learn more about who we are 🔗 https://culturaldata.org/about/

Tune in for a live recording of Upstream, a new webinar series hosted by Houston Endowment. In this episode, data experts and leaders of Houston's artist community will discuss an innovative approach to better understanding how artists live and work in the city. And how funders, policymakers, and institutions can use these insights to provide more effective support, particularly for individual artists.

Guest speakers include SMU DataArts' Executive Director, Jen Benoit-Bryan, Ph.D., Angela Carranza, Executive Director of Fresh Arts, and Eepi Chaad, Program Manager for Mid-America Arts Alliance.

📅
Monday, February 23, 2026
Noon - 1:00 PM CST

Register for free 🔗 https://houstonendowment.org/upstream

Get powerful insights from the most comprehensive global report on cities and culture on Thursday, January 29! Director of SMU DataArts, Jennifer Benoit-Bryan will be in attendance as part of a live panel to discuss data highlights and case studies from major cities worldwide.

Registration for this webinar is free 🔗 https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/event/online-launch-5th-edition-world-cities-culture-report/

World Cities Culture Forum - 5th Edition World Cities Culture Report 5th Edition The 5th Edition of the World Cities Culture Report brings together data and case