US arts attendance has been declining since 1992, when NEA funding was first clobbered

I think these things come and go in waves, sort of like book trends do. College aged kids are told where there's a surplus, and inched towards the deficit in employment. I know way too many liberal arts grads who can't find jobs. On the other hand, they're pushing engineering as the top earning BS again ( http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2013/09/10/georgetown-study-future-impact-major/2792875/ ). So a decade from now, you'll have a surplus of engineers who hopped on the wagon too late, and a shortage of something else.

Edit: Same surplus/deficit waves occur in the military and medical fields.

Aaaah, then yes, the corollary probably fits. (That's what I get for not clicking links before I open my gob--derp).

Edit: My fear of an arts survey conducted by the US Census Bureau is that it could lead to further cuts if they think, "Well, folks are just not interested anymore." *cringe*

Do you think they count conferences?

Sort of like Alessandra mentioned technological alternatives, I also wonder if it isn't a case of more people participating?

But, I expect that is a miniscule change compared to any others. Just tossing it out for consideration.

I'm fairly certain there is a correlation to the economy. The Arts, while enjoyable and enriching, aren't essential to meet needs. As a little kid, I went to movies, plays, museums, all sorts of things constantly. That petered out slowly. I still watch movies a lot, but it takes a lot of effort. A movie ticket when I was in middle school (only ten years ago) was half the price it is now.

I don't know. I guess my point is that cutting funding towards art education would make people feel like it is less important. I think arts are already the first on the chopping block when it comes to where people will spend their money when its tight.