Why Artists are Struggling to Make a Living From Their Art (and the Activists Fighting Back) By Chris Sharratt 07 FEB 2019
Recent studies highlight deep precarity in the art world, alongside a renewed push for fairer payment and resistance to ‘self-exploitation’
- Artists whose work gets featured in international exhibitions are still struggling to make a living from their art. Tai Shani an artist is just one example of situation facing artists today.
- A survey was conducted by Arts Council England in which more than 2000 visual artists responded. Artist’s average income: $27,500 Cdn of which only $10,280 Cdn came from their art practice. Two-thirds earn less than $8,500 Cdn from their practice and only 5% earn more than $42,700 Cdn.
‘We need to see a radical overhaul of the current funding system which is exclusive, elitist and relies heavily on the exploitation and unpaid labour of artists across the sector.’