What does this indicator measure?
This indicator measures Dallas’ Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA) program grants for organizational and project specific cultural services via the Cultural Organization Program (COP), Cultural Projects Program (CPP), Neighborhood Touring Program (NTP) and Leadership Exchange and Advancement Program (LEAP). 

Why is this indicator important?
This indicator is important because OCA grant support is a measure of the continued viability of local arts organizations, particularly smaller organizations that are more likely to depend upon allocations to the CPP, NTP and LEAP programs. 

How are we doing?
OCA will fund an estimated 160 cultural organizations, institutions and/or artists in 2003-04; the highest percentage of grants is awarded as Neighborhood Touring Program allocations (39%).  The number of funded groups is unchanged from 2002-03 but down 6.9% from 2001-02.  OCA has funded an average of 158 groups annually from 1997-98 to 2002-03, and the number of funded groups has increased by 4.5% during the same period.

The OCA program funding budget for fiscal year 2002-03 is $5.1 million.  As of this writing, data regarding the program funding budget for 2001-02 or 2000-01 is not available. Future program funding budget data and related trends will be useful to determine OCA’s capacity to continue funding support for expanding arts services and programs.

The average grant funding allocation in fiscal year 2003-04 is $32,000 (line-item groups are not included in calculating the ‘average’).