Artists and the Recession Survey Results

Individual artists, like other workers, are struggling with the recession. Leveraging Investments in Creativity (LINC) commissioned an artists and the economic recession research study in 2009 to better understand the financial and psychological impacts of the economic downturn on U.S. artists, and to guide future actions on artists’ behalf. The project involved a national survey of artists, interviews with a cross-section of artists and leaders of organizations that serve them, and a scan of related research.

Thirty-five arts service organizations across the U.S. invited their members to take the electronic survey in either English or Spanish. The response was phenomenal: 5,380 artists nationwide completed the survey between July 20 and August 17, 2009. Download the preliminary Selected Findings.  Helicon Collaborative coordinated the project and conducted the research and analysis in collaboration with Princeton Survey Research Associates International (PSRAI).

The research findings confirm what artists and those who work with them know experientially – that most artists struggle to make ends meet financially and that this struggle is even more pronounced in tough economic times. The study also confirmed our observation that artists are remarkably resourceful in crafting their work lives and creative in responding to the ebbs and flows of opportunity. Perhaps most importantly, the study found that a significant majority of artists feel especially inspired now, excited by changes they see taking place in our society, and optimistic about the future despite their current financial challenges.

Download Artists And the Economic Recession Survey: A Summary of Findings- May 2010.

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE SURVEY.

Please register to receive future updates about the survey and other news from LINC.