Survey highlights: artists underpaid

The Artists and the Economic Recession Survey, is ready! Commissioned by Leveraging Investments in Creativity, in collaboration with Helicon Collaborative and Princeton Survey Research Associates International, the un0startling results are as follows: Two-thirds of artists hold at least one job in addition to making art. Artists’ incomes are relatively low (two-thirds made less than $40,000 in 2008), and half reported a decrease in their art-related income from 2008 to 2009. Forty percent of artists do not have adequate health insurance and more than 50% are worried about losing what they do have. Despite the challenges, artists are optimistic about the future—89% think artists have a special role in helping strengthen communities in these times, and 75% believe this is an inspiring time to be an artist.  Some opportunities have emerged as a result of the recession—40% report they have been able to spend more time on their artwork, and one-third have seized the opportunity to experiment and collaborate more.  While direct financial support would be most helpful to artists, technical assistance, networking opportunities, and supplies are also high on the list. The full report will be available on their website in early Spring 2010.