Understanding Your Operation Through Data
Benchmark organizes your performing arts center's performance data to serve different leadership perspectives.
Here's how to find relevant metrics for your role:
For CEOs
Focus: Strategic Direction & Overall Health
Revenue composition trends (Dashboard > Revenues section)
Operating margin analysis (Dashboard > Expenses)
Market position indicators (Executive Metrics Report)
Programming diversity (Operating Results > Audience by Genre)
Key revenue and expense ratios (Dashboard, Executive Metrics Report)
Composite Financial Index (Financial Health Report > CFI section)
Quick Tip: The Dashboard provides most high-level metrics needed for board reporting in one place.
For CFOs
Focus: Financial Performance & Efficiency
Operating margins (Dashboard > Expenses)
Cost structure analysis (Operating Results > Expense Distribution)
Revenue per available seat (Executive Metrics > Revenue by Total Seats Available)
Investment performance (Operating Results > Endowment)
Debt management ratios (Financial Health Report > Debt Management)
Resource allocation metrics (Executive Metrics > Personnel as a Percentage of Total Operating Expense)
Quick Tip: Review the Financial Health Report for comprehensive ratio analysis.
For COOs & Operations Leaders
Focus: Resource Utilization & Productivity
Space utilization patterns (Operating Results > Theater Utilization)
Staffing efficiency (Operating Results > Personnel Cost, Staffing Headcount)
Facility cost metrics (Executive Metrics > Occupancy Cost per Square Foot)
Event volume and mix (Dashboard > Activity)
Operating cost per square foot (Dashboard > Operating Costs PSF)
Maintenance and utility trends (Operating Results > Occupancy Cost)
Quick Tip: The Operating Results reports provide the most detailed operational metrics.
For CDOs & Development Leaders
Focus: Fundraising & Support
Fundraising yield (Dashboard > Fundraising Yield)
Contribution trends (Operating Results > Contributed Revenue)
Individual giving metrics (Executive Metrics > Individual Contributions per Private Sector Contributors)
Overall contribution ratios (Dashboard > % Revenues Earned)
Quick Tip: Check both Dashboard and Operating Results for complete fundraising picture.
For Marketing Leaders
Focus: Revenue Generation & Audience Development
Marketing cost analysis (Executive Metrics > Marketing Cost per Patron)
Sales channel performance (Operating Results > Ticket Sales Channel Distribution)
Pricing effectiveness (Dashboard > Average Ticket Price)
Attendance patterns (Dashboard > Tickets Sold)
Market penetration (Executive Metrics > Total Tickets Sold)
Quick Tip: Combine Dashboard metrics with Executive Metrics for comprehensive sales analysis.
Your First Steps
Focus on metrics most relevant to your role using the navigation notes above
Review your peer group composition in Executive Metrics
Set up your regular reporting cadence
Where to Go Next
Ready to submit data? See our Quick Start Guide
Need details about specific fields? Visit the Fields Catalog
Want to understand the metrics? Check Understanding Your Reports