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Our Studies"Where Can We Work?": A Report on Workspace Availability for New York City Musicians (2007)
Drawing on documented patterns of supply and demand and on specially commissioned surveys of musicians, "Where Can We Work?" examines how the costs and availability of rehearsal and performance space restrict professional musicians' activity in New York City. A grant from the New York State Music Fund (NYSMF) – established in 2006 to make productive use of the New York State Attorney General's payola settlement funds – made it possible for us to go beyond supply-and-demand data on rehearsal and performance space collected from nycMusicSpaces.org. It enabled us to examine how the availability of rehearsal and performance space in the New York City area directly impacts musicians' work patterns and productivity. The study (1) identifies the rehearsal and performance space needs and consequent productivity constraints of professional performers, composers and music educators, and (2) proposes realistic strategies for grantors and policy makers to support musicians. We are very grateful to the New York State Music Fund for their seminal grant and the opportunity to serve New York's music community. In addition, the Christian A. Johnson Endeavor Foundation and the Amphion Foundation supported this study. Orchestra Rehearsal Center Study (2004)Stemming from the development of nycMusicSpaces.org is our report on the feasibility of a dedicated rehearsal center to serve New York City-based professional freelance orchestras. The study focused on the experiences of 12 freelance orchestras and large professional vocal groups seeking – and not finding – suitable, affordable, consistently available rehearsal space. The study determined that many segments of the broader music community had the same rehearsal space needs and would welcome inclusion, thus ensuring the financial feasibility of a dedicated facility. Our report's key recommendation was a new dedicated musicians' center of at least 30,000 square feet on Manhattan's West Side. Based on our study, the Orchestra of St. Luke's (OSL) – the largest of the freelance orchestras involved – plans to develop and operate a classical music rehearsal center in that area as a rehearsal home for OSL, with access available to other orchestras and large ensembles. Our Data: Assessing Demand and SupplyNYC Performing Arts Spaces is the only organization that is able to document what kinds of spaces performing artists are seeking in New York City's five boroughs. Each month our websites track users' searches for space based on their criteria – location, rehearsal or performance space, size of space, preferred rent – and the search results. This data identifies usage needs, geographic areas and price ranges that are repeatedly requested. We analyze the data to determine cumulative preferred locations, space sizes and rental rates, and we seek new space listings meeting the criteria that are in greatest demand. Periodically, we survey performing artists to find out about their space needs and guide us in our development of new website features. As for supply, our database categorizes facilities by their primary purpose, location, number of rentable spaces, and whether they are for-profit or nonprofit. In addition to professional venues, we invite facilities with underused spaces – educational and religious institutions, museums, libraries, art galleries, and community and cultural centers – to list these spaces on our websites, as doing so may help them earn additional income and extend their community outreach. Our data:
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