A new report by NORC at The University of Chicago, funded by the Mellon Foundation, investigates the lives and livelihoods of artists nationwide. Lead author Gwendolyn Rugg stated that while the concept of the 'starving artist' is common, reliable data on artists' economic realities has been limited.
The study surveyed over 2,600 artists across various disciplines and employment structures, gathering data on housing, work hours, health benefits, and income sources.
Key findings from the report include:
- 57% of artists expressed concern regarding their ability to afford essential needs such as food, housing, medical care, or utilities.
- 37% reported receiving income from public assistance programs, including Social Security or state/local welfare.
- 34% of artists were self-employed, and 11% maintained three or more jobs simultaneously.
- 28% provided unpaid care to a family member or friend due to health conditions or disabilities.
While previous studies have indicated the financial fragility of the arts ecosystem in the United States, this NORC study is described as the first to offer a comprehensive and nuanced depiction of contemporary working artists. Gonzalo Casals, who commissioned the survey and now co-directs the Culture and Arts Policy Institute, noted the absence of such data contributes to the 'invisibility' of artists.
This depiction of financial precarity contrasts with reports emphasizing the positive economic and social impacts of the arts. Kerri-Noelle Humphrey, Executive Director of the Alabama Dance Council, utilizes such studies to advocate for dance as an art form and for the individuals working within it. Humphrey highlighted that many professional dancers lack health insurance, despite their physically demanding careers, and emphasized that data helps quantify these daily realities.
Rugg asserted that effective programs and policies are 'rooted in data,' noting a historical 'data allergy' within some arts organizations due to lack of resources or desire. The study's results are publicly accessible, and the survey instrument has been released to allow other organizations to replicate the research. Rugg indicated the survey instrument was developed over a year to ensure methodological soundness, combining existing questions and creating new ones to address data gaps, with the aim of its broader utility in the field.