In today’s Australia, a portrait of an artist is more likely to depict a middle-aged woman than a young man. This shift in demographics reflects a significant trend highlighted in the latest economic study conducted by Creative Australia (formerly the Australia Council).
Released on Tuesday, the seventh economic study of professional performing and visual artists and writers revealed that women now outnumber men two to one in the arts sector. Despite this dominance, women continue to face economic disparities, earning 19% less than their male counterparts on average.
Professor David Throsby, co-author of the report and an economics professor at Macquarie University, attributes this gender pay gap to entrenched economic and social discrimination. Despite progress over the years, with the income gap narrowing from 57% in 2001 to 32% in 2015, disparities persist.
The study, spanning from 2017 to 2022, draws data from online responses and detailed interviews with over 600 professional artists. It reveals that male artists earn more than female artists on average, with additional art-related income exacerbating the disparity.
April Phillips, a Wiradjuri-Scottish computer artist, points out the underpayment of women in digital and experimental technology art. She advocates for fair remuneration and fewer barriers for women in leadership roles in the arts.
While the study highlights gender disparities, it also sheds light on the challenges faced by artists with caring responsibilities. A significant proportion of female artists feel that children restrict their artistic work, impacting their earning potential.
Throsby notes that despite similar levels of education and time spent on creative work between genders, disparities persist. This includes lower incomes for artists compared to other professions with similar training and education levels.
The study also accounts for the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, with a sizable portion of artists reporting reduced productivity and earnings.
Overall, the findings underscore the ongoing struggle for fair compensation and recognition for artists, highlighting the need for systemic change to address gender and economic disparities in the arts sector.
