Performing Arts Presenting In America

The Association of Performing Arts Presenters, based in Washington, DC, is the national service organization for the field of arts presenting.  Nearly 2,000 members represent the nation's leading performing arts centers; civic and university performance facilities; the full spectrum of artist agencies and managers; a growing roster of self-representing artists; and national consulting practices and vendors that service the field.  A non-profit 501(c)3 organization governed by a volunteer board of directors, Arts Presenters is led by its President and CEO, Sandra Gibson, now in her eighth year.  In addition to presenting the annual APAP Conference NYC -- the world's top forum and marketplace for the performing arts, with more than 4,000 performing arts professionals attending -- Arts Presenters continues to be the world's leading resource, knowledge and networking destination for the advancement of performing arts presenting.

Arts Presenters' government affairs program is an integral part of the association's operations.  Through our distinct efforts and in partnership with several coalitions including the Performing Arts Alliance (PAA), Arts Presenters serves as the principal advocate for professional presenting organizations, artists and artist managements. Arts Presenters informs legislators and policy makers about the importance of the performing arts field by advocating for the development of national policies that recognize and strengthen the contribution performing arts and arts organizations make.

Member Information:

• Representing an industry of more than 7,000 nonprofit and for-profit organizations, Arts Presenters members hail from all 50 states and 28 countries across the globe;
• Member organizations range from large performing arts centers in major urban cities, outdoor festivals and rural community-focused organizations to academic institutions, artists, artist managers, agents, as well as producing and touring companies;
• Our membership includes a range of organizations with multi-million dollar budgets to individuals who are artists or performing arts professionals;
• Arts Presenters members bring performances to more than 2 million audience-goers each week and spend in excess of $2.5 billion dollars annually;
• Arts Presenters represents a diversity of fields including: all forms of dance, music, theater, family programming, puppetry, circus, magic, attractions and performance art.

Field Information

An Urban Institute survey commissioned by Arts Presenters yielded the following research on the presenting field:

• 68% of presenting organizations present international artists;
• 77% develop programs and performances for K-12 students;
• 54% provide services for patrons with hearing, sight or mobility impairments;
• 50% facilitate programs for adult education and outreach.

What is a presenter? The term “presenter” is a broad term that includes organizations such as performing arts centers, academic institutions, local arts agencies, festivals and fairs.