Why are artists getting poorer? About the reproduction of low income among artists

The autonomous world reversed: comparing liberal policy and autonomy in the performing arts

“…Several studies have focused on the social and economic situation of artists, in addition to the uncertainties and risk associated with artistic and creative work (Abbing, 2002;Alper & Wassall, 2006;Mangset et al, 2016;Santos, 1976;Throsby, 1992). Nevertheless, few studies have made a national comparison based on empirical data.…”

“…Artistic work has often been associated with considerable economic risk (Mangset, Heian, Kleppe, & Løyland, 2016;Throsby, 2010). One reason for this is the work-preference theory of artist behaviour, which claims that artists derive satisfaction from work itself, and not strictly for the income they make .…”

“…Overall, this has caused a substantial recruitment, thereby causing a labour market in which the excess of artists is generally larger than the demand for artistic production (Abbing, 2002;Casacuberta & Gandelman, 2012;Mangset et al, 2016). Because of this, artists have developed several ways of managing economic risk.…”

“…This "Romance of being creative", as Angie McRobbie puts it, has penetrated much of recent policy debates on creative work. However, several empirical studies paint another picture of the actual experience of persons involved in creative labour (David Hesmondhalgh & Baker, 2011;Mangset et al, 2016;McRobbie, 1999.…”

“…The Norwegian system therefore creates relatively strong borders between the insiders and the outsiders, between permanently employed actors and freelancers (Bergsgard & Vassenden, 2015;Mangset et al, 2016).…”