While the arts sector in Northfield obviously has many valuable assets and strengths, a variety of needs – of artists, organizations, and the sector as a whole – were voiced by interviewees and focus group participants. 

• Need for increased collaboration among artists, arts organizations, and the two colleges 
  • Need to avoid duplicating programming
  • Work on projects that will be beneficial to multiple groups or the arts community as a whole
• Lack of substantial organization among artists
  • No comprehensive listing of artists
  • Need to address the needs of professional working artists
    • Affordable health care and housing
    • Purchasing supplies
    • Technical skills (website design, accounting)
    • Adequate facility space (for work and performance)
• Need to reach a broader audience
  • Within Northfield, sector tends to reach the older, White, middle- and upper-class populations
  • Beyond Northfield, advertising is needed to widen the consumer base
• Lack of well-paid work opportunities for professional artists and arts organizations
  • Most events offered for free; hard to charge due to colleges' precedent