The Incomes of Visual Artists: Which Artists, What Income?

Abstract

We review a body of literature that addresses the incomes of visual artists and their participation in the labour market. It is clear that the level and composition of visual artists’ incomes varies widely, as does their engagement in different forms of employment. The lack of a consistent definition of an artist and a lack of consistency in income sources included in current data collection presents challenges for researchers. The focus of our research is on the economic status of visual artists in Australia, and we identify a number of considerations that might inform policy responses to their financial position.

The impact of COVID‐19 on the well‐being of Australian visual artists and arts workers

“…There is little other research on arts workers in the visual arts and craft sector to compare these data, and no single occupational category assigned for arts workers in the 2021 Census (ABS, 2021b). However, MacNeill et al (2022) define this group by nominating occupational categories from the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) at the six-digit level code. Using this classification and data from the 2018-2019 Australian Tax Office (ATO), 58 per cent are female and in 2021, the mean and median salary or wages are $AU 55,971 and $AU 52,000, respectively.…”