Research & Resources

TCG conducts research for and about the American not-for-profit theatre field to assess the changing needs and conditions of the theatre community, chronicle the field’s growth, support national advocacy efforts, and create resources to aid theatre professionals in their work. For more information or questions, please email [email protected]. 

Fiscal Survey

First conducted in 1974, the annual TCG Fiscal Survey captures financial and performance-related information from participating Member Theatres and serves as the basis for a public report, Theatre Facts. Participants in the TCG Fiscal Survey also gain exclusive access to extensive survey data and online reporting tools to assist them with benchmarking and strategic planning.

Salary Survey

Each year, TCG conducts a survey of compensation levels for more than 100 job titles common among not-for-profit theatres. This survey is conducted solely as a service to TCG Member Theatres with the intent of aiding managing and artistic leaders in planning, budgeting, and making critical personnel decisions. The report is confidential and is made available exclusively to leaders of participating Member Theatres.

Snapshot Surveys

Snapshot Surveys are short surveys focusing on various topics such as fiscal health, governing boards, employee benefits, education, and online ticket sales and contributions. This format allows TCG to gather and to disseminate information quickly and to identify new areas for investigation.

Other Research Reports

Reports are available of conversations between TCG Board Members and TCG Member Theatres, as well as findings from collaborative projects between TCG and other arts organizations.

Theatre Profiles

An online compendium of information about TCG Member Theatres and their productions, dating back to 1995. Each completed profile contains a wealth of information such as: names of leadership, any AEA Contracts, facility details, and any specialized interests.

ARTSEARCH

This is TCG's national employment bulletin for the Arts.

Disaster Management

TCG’s Disaster Management page contains extensive resources including: a teleconference recording and research on theatre readiness/disaster assistance organizations, disaster philanthropy, and federal disaster support for theatre.

Theatre Facts

Produced annually by TCG for nearly four decades, Theatre Facts is the only document analyzing the U.S. professional not-for-profit theatre field. Based on data collected and reviewed by TCG through its annual Fiscal Survey, Theatre Facts offers three lenses through which to explore the state of the field and is a vital resource for theatre professionals, trustees, funders, policy makers, researchers, educators, students, and journalists.

Arts Education

TCG produces an annual Special Report on Education that gives visibility to theatre education work and provides resources and professional development opportunities to theatre education staff, including an online reporting tool for the annual TCG Education Survey, a searchable database of study guides from TCG Member Theatres, and regular education director teleconferences.

Centerpieces

Centerpieces include in-depth analyses, case studies, and resource tools on specific management issues, aimed at theatre staff and board members. Topics include overnance, marketing, development, education, and general management issues, and were curated by specialists in each area.

Audience (R)Evolution Research & Resources Hub

As part of TCG's strategic initiative Audience (R)Evolution, the Research & Resources Hub includes a comprehensive literature review, recent field-wide research, essays, articles from Audience (R)Evolution grantees, and archived videos from past Audience (R)Evolution Convenings to facilitate the program’s commitment to widespread dissemination of innovative and impactful audience-engagement and community-development practice.

Trustee Corner

In order to better serve theatre board members, whose crucial roles involve the gifts of time, imagination, and ideas, TCG has created the Trustee Corner, a hub aimed at helping theatre trustees learn more about the field, connect with other trustees and theatre leaders across the country, and play an important role in serving the needs of their theatre and the greater theatre community.

Other Resources

TCG's other resources include New Plays in Production, the Stage Matters video, American Theatre Archives, Information Requests and Referral Services, and professional development resources.