hyperallergic.com: As a supplement to “Why Are (Most) Artists (So Fucking) Poor?” here is some of the data from the 2010 W.A.G.E. survey of payments received by artists who exhibited with nonprofit art institutions in New York City between 2005 and 2010.
5 comments:
Aside from the (slightly upsetting though totally expected) news that the majority od artists make very little money, the idea of representing it graphically really adds to the article. Of course the standard bar chart is not totally original, but using bills and other creative objects and forms to create a visual comparison. The pop-art feel goes well with the theme of artists and money.
Also, yay performers, you actually have a shot at making some money! While it seems there is quite a gap to bridge between little or no play and a high salary, there are a substantial number of "high earners" ($5,000+). Hopefully CMU will give us a little bump up in where we will sit in the charts.
A rare article that tips me in favor of unions...
I am not surprised that a majority is not compensated for artistic endeavors, but some of the specifics in here are still alarming: Firstly, that so many artists doing exhibit work get such small fees; these are professional artists, and even if the work exhibited was done independently, the amount of time to manage and install an exhibit pencils out to a next-to-nothing hourly wage. Secondly, that so many people who travel do not get reimbursed for expenses. We all understand unpaid and low-paid internships for students, but those are only a small percentage of the work discussed in these figures. I am eagerly awaiting the article that proposes a viable solution to this problem.
There is an understanding that in our current culture that artists make little to no money but it still draws people because in the first world we do not need to dedicate all of our time to make enough money to survive on the bare essentials thus many of us can be "starving artists" and work part time in low paying jobs. Also this is not a survey that is indicative of the struggle of artists because this is from NYC arguably one of the last bastions of art. There are many towns and cities without much if any art or culture.
It's amazing how putting things into numbers and infographics like the ones in this article can clarify and articulate the idea of the "starving artist." I think most of us have heard and are used to the idea that our business is not the most personally profitable one. A lot of us have not gotten involved in theater and art for the money, because there are certainly plenty of other, arguably easier ways to make money.
Nonetheless, it is frustrating to see just how little money artists are making and how many are having to work for little to no money just to get their work out there. The arts are an important part of society, and how we all interact and think about each other as part of humanity. While certainly it can be argued that we as artists get greater fulfillment out of our work than the average office drone, to see greater compensation to reward work, especially good work so that artists can continue to do what they do, and not be discourage against the high financial odds that many of them face
This is a wonderful argument. “Art is important”. A lot of most people will agree with that. “I am willing to pay out of my own pocket to support an artist.” Now that list becomes much shorter. I am curious about the patronage of arts. For many years it was the monarchy, the church or both. The state has produced some very substantial art. (19th century Russia being fine example) American artist are more the pay as you go kind of scheme, though we have created many great artist, they are often from poor up bringings. I am bewildered and the dichotomy of art and entertainment in our American society. People will pay cash money to see the pirates lose or Nickelback rock through their Wednesday night set but the true artists in Pittsburgh are indicative of the artist in NYC. “Starving”. I have yet to reach a suitable conclusion to this matter.
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