Artists Compared by Age, Sex, and Earning in 1970 and 1976
Author: National Endowment for the Arts. Research Division
Publisher: Arts Research Division
Published: 1980
Total Pages: 62
ISBN-13:
DOWNLOAD EBOOKThe purpose of this report is to examine the population of artists in terms of age, sex, and earnings and to compare the results from 1970 and 1976. An artist in this report includes people in the following categories: actors, architects, dancers, designers, musicians and composers, painters and sculptors, photographers, and radio and television announcers. Highlights of the analysis report that the number of artists increased 50% from 1970 to 1976, from 600,000 to 900,000, but that median earnings remained the same at $7,900. The lack of increase in earnings is explained by the 50% increase in artists, while positions for artists increased by only 23%. The number of women in artistic occupations increased by 80% while males in artistic occupations increased by half that amount. In 1970 artists' personal earnings contributed 62% of their household earnings, by 1976 the contribution had fallen to 44%. Women were more dependent on other household members than men were and accounted for only a quarter of the total household income in 1970 and 1976. These data suggest that while artists' personal earnings are relatively low, artists tend to be members of households which compare closely with total household earnings of all professionals. Although artists' median personal earnings did not increase between 1970 and 1976, the total household earnings rose by 40% during this period. The artists' population is composed of relatively young people and is predominantly male. From 1970 to 1976 the population became younger and the proportion of women artists increased. The mid-decade observation period was marked by a recession in which the rate of artistic unemployment increased more than all professional workers. The difference reflects the increased proportion of young people, women, and blacks in artistic occupations, because unemployment rates are generally higher for these groups. Over 40 tables and figures display and support the findings. (APG)
