Posted by TayariJones on June 16, 2008 01:14 PM
Filed under
Current Events
Maybe you've aleady seen this, but the NEA has just released a comprehensive report on artists in the workplace. (Full 150-page report here, NYT highlights here.) I honestly don't know what to make of it. Here are some of the big points.
In 2005 nearly two million Americans said their primary employment was in jobs that the census defines as artists’ occupations — including architects, interior designers and window dressers. That's a lot of people, but some of these jobs seem sort of artistic, but I am not sure that I would classify these workers as artists, exactly....
The percentage of female, black, Hispanic and Asian artists is bigger among younger ones. Among artists under 35, writers are the only group in which 80 percent or more are non-Hispanic white. I wonder why it is that all other areas of art are becoming more diverse, but not writing? I would think that writing would really lend itself to inclusion since the start up costs are so low. A question worth thinking about is whether this means times are good or hard for writers of color. On the one hand being so darn rare makes us attractive, or at least it does, theoretically. But on the other hand, the scarcity suggests steep challenges.
The “Artists in the Workforce” report, prepared by Sunil Iyengar, the endowment’s director of research and analysis, identified 185,000 writers.... That's a lot of people.
Overall, the median income that artists reported in 2005 was $34,800 — $42,000 for men and $27,300 for women. That's just depressing. No comment needed.
Here's another money-related fact: Over all, artists make more than the national median income ($30,100). They are more highly educated but earn less than other professionals with the same level of schooling.
For some reason, the NEA makes this report sound like good news, but for me, it's making me want to get back in bed.
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