The 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)

Report, trends 1971-1980, employment, unemployment, architects, performers, artists, authors, photographers, teachers of drama, music and art, USA - labour force participation by sex, etc. Diagrams, graphs, statistical tables.

The Visual Arts Program of the National Endowment of the Arts undertook a survey to determine the economic conditions of artists and the processes by which they exhibit works in four cities located outside the major art centers of New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. The selected market areas included Houston, Minneapolis, Washington, and San Francisco. Research indicated that these cities have significant markets for locally produced art, which is mainly sold by galleries and museums. However, artists are dissatisfied with exhibition opportunities, especially with lengthy waiting periods. Among various methods used to locate exhibition opportunities, personal contacts are most used, and service organizations are least utilized. The data indicated major differences between the artists and exhibitors on the perception of fairness in the exhibition selection process. Obtaining studio space is a major problem for artists in all four cities, and both artists and exhibitors advocate public acquisition of buildings which could be rented for studio space. Few artists earn a living solely from art sales. Most hold other jobs or are supported by another person. Median art income for the artists sampled was $718 in 1978. Median production costs were $1,450, approximately twice the median income. Tables and figures are included. (JHP)

Recognizing the need to conduct audience studies to aid in arts organizations' policy development, this manual was developed to inform arts organization personnel on how to conduct a valid survey; to discourage poor surveys and raise the standards of audience information; and to provide guidance on when survey consultants should be chosen as well as what to expect from a consultant in terms of audience survey specifications. The manual can be used in a wide range of arts settings and includes survey questions as well as step-by-step instructions on planning, conducting, analyzing, and presenting audience surveys. Field tests were conducted to find out what the manual could do, and site visits monitored the progress of five projects. The manual contains six chapters: (1) "Why an Audience Survey"; (2) "Developing the Questionnaire"; (3) "Sample Design"; (4) "Collecting Survey Data"; (5) "Data Processing"; and (6) "Interpreting and Presenting Survey Results." An appendix of Model Survey Questions is included. (KWL)

Information on the number and location of U.S. artists, as reported in the 1980 Census of Population, is examined, and comparisons are made with 1970 Census figures. This document describes national growth trends in specific art occupations and regional changes in comparison to total labor force changes. The impact of migration on the distribution of artists is examined, along with the effects of new labor force entries and occupational changes. Statistical data are presented for 1970 and 1980 individual states' distributions of: (1) actors and directors; (2) announcers; (3) architects; (4) authors; (5) dancers; (6) designers; (7) musicians and composers; (8) painters, sculptors, craft artists, and artist printmakers; (9) photographers; (10) teachers of art, drama, and music (higher education); and (11) other artists. A written summary is provided for each state, and information concerning the concentration of artists in major U.S. Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas (SMSAs) is provided. Civilian labor force totals, artists in the civilian labor force percentages, the total number of artists, and percentages of U.S. artists for each state and selected large SMSAs are appended. Tables, figures, and maps are included. (JHP)