Trends in Artist Occupations, 1970-1990

Book excerpt: This report examines the characteristics of the artist population in 1990 and compares them to the 1980 and 1970 census results. Artist occupations selected for study include: actors and directors; announcers; architects; authors; dancers; designers; musicians and composers; painters, sculptors, craft-artists, and artist printmakers; photographers; teachers of art, drama and music in higher education; and artists, performers, and related workers not classified elsewhere. The study examines: (1) "Growth in the Artist Work Force"; (2) "Geographic Trends"; (3) "Demographic Trends"; (4) "Trends Among Women and Minority Artists"; (5) "Age Trends"; (6) "Education Trends"; (7) "Full Time Work Last Year"; (8) "Earnings Trends"; and (9) "Occupation Profiles." Findings indicate that very significant changes have occurred over the target time period. Artists have become more geographically diverse over the two decades. Growth among artist occupations has substantially outdistanced that for the labor force as a whole and for all professional occupations, of which artists account for about one-tenth. Incomes for artists, however, lag significantly behind those for other professionals of equal education and training. The report includes extensive tables and graphs of statistical information. (MM)