2025 is here! The start of new year always gives us an opportunity to reflect on a year filled with remarkable accomplishments across the arts sector. Our clients have tackled challenges head-on, embraced innovative strategies, and achieved record-breaking results. From reimagining subscription models to leveraging data for audience engagement, their resilience and creativity drives the industry forward. We want to take a moment to celebrate their achievements as we look ahead to the opportunities 2025 will bring.
Arkansas Symphony Orchestra celebrated their best single ticket season in both revenue and units since 2014. Through compelling storytelling and leveraging connections between musicians and audiences, ASO sold more tickets and earned more revenue with Saint-Saens’ Organ Symphony than with Beethoven’s Violin Concerto. Building on this success, ASO increased paid capacity utilization by 11% for classical concerts year-to-date, while membership reservations rose by 18% and single ticket sales by 37% year-over-year.
Charleston Symphony rebounded their subscription levels to pre-pandemic highs and exceeded single ticket revenue goals by 35% and unit goals by 28%. This resulted in their best year of sales in organizational history. Additionally, they set a second consecutive year of record subscription revenues, achieving 18% growth in revenue since partnering with TRG Arts in 2022. Their focus on single ticket campaigns created a strong pipeline for subscription success.
Toronto Symphony Orchestra achieved its fourth consecutive year of exceeding pre-pandemic revenues in their annual fund, with retention rates at the “Friends” donor level increasing from 48% to 60% over the past three years. TSO also experienced a 26% increase in subscription revenue and a 29% growth in subscription packages year-over-year, driven by expanded “choose-your-own” options and proactive courtesy calls.
The National Ballet of Canada used audience insights to address seating challenges, reallocating underperforming seats and strategically closing Ring 5 until demand warranted reopening. This approach sold previously tough-to-fill seats with no change to average ticket prices. Meanwhile, rebranding curated packages led to significant gains, with “Glorious Classics” more than doubling subscriptions and “Visionary Creations” exceeding targets by 100 packages.
Everyman Theatre in Baltimore celebrated their best single ticket season in over ten years, following a record-breaking subscription campaign. This success is helping refill their subscription pipeline through single ticket sales.
The Marlowe’s sustained partnership with TRG resulted in an 18% increase in memberships over the past year, continuing their historic growth trajectory.
New York Theatre Workshop saw 30% of ticket sales sparked by the Data Center Community Network, enabling them to acquire new patrons with the potential to become future subscribers, donors, and advocates.
Theatre Royal Plymouth increased membership by 74% last year, and is on track to triple since 2021 through a strategic redesign and enhanced marketing efforts.
Grant Park Music Festival surpassed its membership revenue goals before the season began, despite delays due to staffing and technical challenges. Strategic programming and touchpoints also led to record-setting single ticket sales.
Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s dynamic pricing strategy contributed to 5% of total ticket revenue and enabled the theatre to sell thousands more tickets than planned, achieving the highest ticket yield in company history.
These results remind us of that data-driven strategies and collaborative approaches transform orgs. As we congratulate them on 2024 and look to 2025, we are excited to continue partnering with our clients to build on this year’s momentum. Here’s to another year of growth, impact, and success for the arts sector!