Social and Economic Survey for Northampton Artists and Craftspeople 7.13.1990SOCIAL & ECONOMIC SURVEY FOR NORTHAMPTON AREA
ARTISTS & CRAFTSPEOPLE
A REPORT
Submitted to the NORTHAMPTON ARTISTS ALLIANCE
by KAREN ANN MAILLER,
ARTISTS ADVOVATE
July 13. 1'_=90
Social and Economic Survey for Northampton Area Artists & Craftspeople
If you are an artist. craftsperson, roducer or owner of an arts - related business, please fill this out. It takes
about 10 minutes and will have a positive impact on our art5.community. Your response will be ANONY-
MOUS. DO NOT PUT YOUR NAME ON THIS PAGE.
Please return the completed form as soon as possible in the envelope provided.
INSTRUCTIONS: Please circle the number of your chosen response and fill in the blanks where appropriate.
1. Please list the city, county and zip code of your primary
residence as of January 1, 1989.
1 2 3
city county zip code
2. Please list the city, county and zip code of your primary
art work space as of January 1, 1989.
3.
to
5.
6.
7.
8,
1 2 3
city county zip code
Are you male or female?
1 male
2 female
Please List your age as of January 1, 1989.
1
For how many years have you lived in the county of your
current residence?
I under 1 year
2 14 years
3 5-10 years
4 more than 10 years
For how many years have you worked in the county of
Your current work space?
1 under 1 year
2 14 years
3 5 -10 years
4 more than 10 years
Of the phrases listed below, circle your most important
reasons for staying in this area to live and /or work.
1 personal ties
2 support systems for my art
3 non- art - related employment
4 good place to exhibit /perform
5 educational opportunities
6 available workspace
7 affordable workspace
8 available living space
9 affordable living space
10 access to equipment do supplies
11 access to management expertise
12 cuitwal activity
13 environmental quality
14 media responsiveness
15 network of peerg
16 other (specify)
Time of your last show, performance, or reading in the
greater- Northampton area
1
9. Tune of your last show, performance, or reacting in
Northampton
1
10. Of the occupations listed below, from which did you earn
your major income in the last 12 months?
1 artist (literary, visual, performing, etc.)
2 art instructor (literary, visual, performing, etc.)
3 arts manager or administrator
4 commercial artist
5 other art - related occupation (please specify)
6 non art - related occupation (please specify)
7 other (please specify)
I1. Do you need to work at other jobs to support your art?
1 yes
2 no
12. if yes, does this money cover your art - related costs?
1 yes
2 no
13. Where do you purchase most of your art - related
supplies? (If more than one answer, please list no more
than 3, with Choice 1 being most im rtant.)
1 New York or 3oston
2 Springfield
3 Northampton
4 Greenfield
5 mail Order
6 Other
14. Where do you purchase most of your art - related services,
such as photo- graphic, legal? (If more than one answer,
please list no more than 2, with Choice 1 being most
important.)
1 New York or Boston
2 Springfield
3 Northampton
4 Greenfield
5 Other
15. Do you own or rent your home?
1 own
2 rent
3 other
16. Do you own or rent your current work space?
1 own
2 rent
3 other (please specify)
17.. Do you share workspace with others?
I yes
2 no
18. Do you work in a building where other artists work?
I yes
2 no
19. If you rent your current work space, do you rent on a
year -round or as needed basis?
I year -round
2 as needed
20. Do you bear the cost of your work space?
1 yes
2 no
3 bear partial cost
4 other (please specify)
21. How is the building zoned in which your work space is
located?
I residential
2 commercial
3 industrial
4 mixed use
5 don't know
6 other (please specify)
22. Are you an employer? (lf no, go on to question 27.)
1 yes
2 no
23. If yes, is your business arts- related?
1 yes
2 no
24. Does it operate on a year -round basis?
1 yes
2 no
25. What is the approximate monthly operational cost of
your art works ace including utilities, rent or mortgage,
and taxes? (If you share your work space, or if it is
combined with your living space, please estimate your
portion of the monthly cost for WORK SPACE ONLY.)
I $ 0- 99
2 $100-199
3 $200-299
4 $300-399
5 $400-499
6 $500-599
7 $600-699
8 $700 or more (please specify) 5
B. tools /equipment 1 2 3 4
C capital improve-
ments 1 2 3 4
D. training /main-
taining craft I 2 3 4
E. publicity/
marketing 1 2 3 4
F. travel /shipping 1 2 3 4
G. other 1 2 3 4
27. Are there specific requirements with regard to your work
space?
1 special light 8 extra -large space
2 large windows 9 darkroom
3 electrical 10 access to freight
wiring/ amperage elevator
4 special acoustics 11 heat
5 special floors 12 running water
6 sound proofing 13 extra -high ceilings
7 storage space 14 air conditioning
15 other (please specify)
28, Have you been required to move your work space within
the last 5 years?
1 yes
2 no
29. If yes, has this happened more than once?
1 yes
2 no
30. If yes, indicate reason(s) for moving.
I My artistic employment required me to relocate.
2 My non - artistic employment required me to relocate.
3 My mate's employment required me to relocate.
4 Workspace became unavailable.
5 Workspace became unaffordable.
6 Workspace requirements changed.
7 Landlord did not want me there.
8 Zoning changed required me to leave -
9 Other (please specify)
31. Please check the category that indicates your total income
from work as an artist for 1988.
1 $ 0 - $ 500
2 $ 501 - $ 3,000
3 S, 3,001- 5 7,000
4 $ 7,001 - $12,000
5 $12,001 - $20,000
6 $20,001 - $40,000
7 more than $40,000 (please specify)
32. If this amount varies widely from the previous year,
please give the amount for 1987
33. When responding to questionnaires about general issues,
or to census questionnaires, what one term do you use to
describe your occupation?
. 1
26. EXCLUDING operational costs of your work space,
please list approximate ANNUAL COSTS for the
following art- related work expenses-
SO- $50I -52501 over
500 2500 5000 55000
A. art - related
supplies /services 1 2 3 4
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION. Please mail this immediately in the envelope provided.
This survey was conducted by the Northampton Artists Alliance
and was supported, in part, by grants form the Massachusetts
Arts Lottery Council, as administered by the Northampton Arts
Lottery. Administrative support services provided by the
Northampton Center for the Arts were essential to its successful
completion. The questionnaire was compiled by the Artists
Advocate from existing surveys, modified to the Northampton
area, with new questions added. A core group of Alliance
members approved the survey design and helped to formulate new
questions. Michael Mufson designed the database and provided
computation of the results. COPYCAT Print Shop, 32 Pleasant
Street, Northampton, donated the printing of this report,
BACKGROUND
The purpose of the survey was two —fold: 1) to gain a better
understanding of the geographic spread of those who consider
themselves Northampton -area artists; and 2) to gain information
about the artists as members of the social and econonomic
community.
Those artists who formed the Alliance in the Fall of 1988, as an
outgrowth of the Northampton Cultural Plan, felt strongly that
some quantification of artists'social and economic impact was
needed, as well as more precise information about the ways our
community impacts on its artists_ It is hoped that the
information generated_ and reported here, can be used to more
effectively advocate for artists needs at the city, state, and
federal levels; and. that artists themselves can use it for their
granting and.fundraising purposes.
PHILOSOPHY AND PROCEDURES
The, prevailing philosophy in designing and conducting the survey
was .,that artists should be able to define themse.lves..whenever
possible: That philosophy- meant that. Many questions were more
open. - ended. than the demands of statistical purity would have
allowed. However,.it was felt that more artists would respond
to.questions,of this type than to yes /no or multiple choice
exclusively. Therefore,, the trade —off was judged to be
worthwhil.e.
The process of self — definition. began with the identification of
who is a "Northampton —area artist ".. A.basic assumption was that
many artists who live outside of Northampton use it as a base to
work, to,show work, buy supplies and services, or network with
peers.
(Printing donated by COPYCAT Print Shop, 32 Pleasant St., Northamp-
ton, KA.)
P. 2
Thus, the survey would include artists residing outside of the
city itself. The survey was mailed to 1330 artists drawn
from the mailing lists of artists groups, arts service
organizations, and individual arti' §ts.';.Those groups, organiza-
tions, and individuals are listed in the Appendix.
Because many of the sources from which the Artists Advocate
worked included supporters, patrons, arts editors, and
other non - artists, the lists were edited to provide, insofar as
possible, a listing of artists, gallery owners, and individuals
whose businesses are directly arts - related.
The source lists were also edited geographically. Although the
term "Northampton area artist" was intended to be self- defining,
some preliminary decisions were made to keep the mailing from
becoming too unwieldy and diffuse. In some cases, the decision
was made by whether a town appeared regularly on several lists.
In others, the decision was based on general knowledge of the
region.
For example, Greenfield and Springfield were excluded because
they were considered the next northerly and southerly arts
centers. Chicopee was judged to be a part of the greater
Springfield network, Holyoke, whose artists could be linked in
either, or both, directions (Springfield and /or Northampton) was
included. Exceptions were made if artists from an excluded area
specifically asked to be involved.
The completed Artists Alliance mailing list of 1330 artists is
in the databank.of the Center for the Arts and has also been
given to the Northampton Arts Council. This list will be
especially appropriate for issues and events of regional
interest. It is available to artists and cultural organizations
for valid artistic or advocacy purposes but cannot be used
commercially.
The surveys were mailed to the 1330 artists in August.,. 1989, and
were returned to the Alliance primarily in September and October,.
1989- with some responses continuing to come in through January, 1.
1990. - Two hundred'_'forty completed: surveys were returned..'
Because of the se If-de finingi nature of " North ampt.on- area and
the geographic- spread. covered by the, mailing fist,. this return
of 18% (.1804511) was considered acceptable.
i
That 240 is is,not the total number of Northampton -area artists,.
self - defined or otherwise, is nearly a- certainty, because a res-
ponse rate of 100% of any population would be extraordinary..
But since we do not know the exact total of the population, we do
not know the precise percentage of response. However, the infor-
mation on the Northampton area's artist population which was
gained fV..om the survey is the most current, and perhaps the most
complete, available.
(Printing donated by coPYCAT Print Shop, 32 Pleasant St., Northamp-
ton. MA.)
P. 3
ANALYSIS
Of 240 responses, 4 had to be disqualified. Three had not given
city of. residence, and the program would not accept other
information without it. The fourth was : submitted on behalf of
an organization. Only individual artists'responses were
accepted. The analyses and percentages that follow are based on
the remaining 236 responses unless otherwise specified.
Q1 Of that 236, the largest number of respondents were Northampton
residents. Eighty- -five answered from Northampton, 11 from
Florence, and 4 from Leeds, for a total of 100, or 42%
(.4237288). The next largest group of artists responding lived
in Amherst - -41 artists, or 17 % (.1737288). This was followed
by Easthampton with 13, or a little over 5 1/2% (.0550847).
The remaining artists were from the following towns: Leverett
(7), Deerfield (7), Hatfield (6), Montague (6), Pelham (5),
Williamsburg (5), Ashfield (4), Conway (4), Southampton (4),
Cummington (3), Goshen (3), and South Hadley (3) . The towns of
Belchertown, Buckland, Chesterfield, Chicopee, Granby,
Haydenville, Holyoke, Leyden, Shutesbury, and Sunderland were
represented by one or two artists each. One respondent lived in
in New York City, another in Boston.
Q2 Of those who responded to Question 2, which asked for the city
of the artist's art work space, 85 listed Northampton, 6
Florence, and 3 Leeds, totalling 94, nearly 40% (.398305).
Forty - three, or 18% (.1822033) had their art work space in
Amherst. Twenty had art workspace in Easthampton, 8 1/2%
(,0847457). Ten artists, or slightly over 4 %, did not answer.
The rest of the responses reflect a spread similar to that
discussed above, except that New York City was not represented.
Fifty - seven of the 226 artists who answered this question had
art work. space i.n a different.. town, ..from their residence. Of that
57. 1.5 were Northampton residents and five lived in Florence,
for a. Northampton total of 20 (just: over 35% of those with
residence in one city- art. work'space• in, another). Other artists
in this situati.on,:.. 3 from each .town,. ,Lived in the following
places -... Amherst.,` Hadley, Hatfi,.e -ld, .Montague;: and Deerfield.
Q3 Nearly twice as many women responded as did men. Eighty -three
respondents were - male, 150 were - female, 3 did not identify their
gender. The' respondents then, were. 355 male (.3516949) 64%
female- (.6355932) ,. and 1% (..012711,8)` gender unknown.
Q4 The average age -of al.l respondents was 39- -age 42 for males,.
38 for females. The youngest. artist responding was 15, with the
next 19, followed by age 26 (one artist of each age). The oldest
was 77, followed. by 76, then 67 (one respondent. of each age).
The youHgest female was 15, youngest male 19; oldest females
were 66 (2); the oldest male, 77..
(Printing donated by COPYCAT Print Shop. Northampton, MA.)
P. 4
Q5 The largest group of respondents (114) had lived in their
county of residence for more than 10 years, followed by 61
artists who had lived in their county of residence for
5 -10 years. Fifty -six artists had,,•resi.ded in their county for
1 -4 years. Only 4 respondents had been in their county of
residence less than one year; one did not answer.
The percentages are:
More
than 10 years
48%
(.4830508)
5 -10
years
26%
(.2584745)
1 -4
years
24%
(.4372881)
Less
than 1 year
1.7%
(.0169491)
Did
not answer
under
19 (.0042372)
Q6 Again, the largest group of respondents had worked in their
county of workspace for more than 10 years, 97 of the 231
who answered. Fifty -five had worked in their county of
workspace between five and ten years, 76 for one to four
years, and three for less than one year. Five did not answer.
The percentages are as follows:
More than 10 years 41% (.4110169)
Between 5 and 10 yrs. 23% (.2330508)
Between 1 and 4 years 32% (.3220338)
Under 1 year 1% (.0127118)
Did not answer 2% (.0211864)
Q7 The most important reason for artists to stay in the area was
personal ties ( #1) with 156 responses, followed by-cultural
activity ( #12) with 144. The least important.reason was access
to management expertise ( #2) with 2 responses- Each.artist could .
list. up to 11 responses;: some gave only one, others listed more
than the program would accept. The reasons are given below,
ranked by those with the largest number of. responses at top:
1 personal. ties T56,
12. cultural activity, 144
13 environmental quality 124'
15 , network of-peers 98
16. other 913 ''
2 support ' system, for" my art .70 �
5 educational opportunity 55;
9 affordable living space 36
3 non - art,related employment 33
7 affordable workspace 2.9
4 good place to exhibit /perform 28
6 available workspace 24
8 available living space 24
10 access to equipment.,- supplies 18
14 media responsiveness 8
11 access to management expertise 2
(Printing donated by COPYCAT Print Shop, Northampton, MA.)
P. 5
Q8 One hundred.eighty --five artists gave the time of their last
show, performance, or reading in the Northampton area. Fifty -
one did not respond. Of the 185. responses, 121 indicated that
they had shown work.in the Northampton, area during 1989 37 did
so last in 1988, 10-in 1987, 5 in 1986, 3 in 1985, and 9 before
1985.
Q9 One hundred fifty -five artists responded to this question, which
asked the time of the artist's last show, performance, or read-
ing in Northampton itself. Eighty -one did not answer. Of the
155 respondents, 70 had shown work in Northampton in 1989. Forty
three had last shown work in Northampton in 1988, 21 in 1987,
7 in 1986, 6 in 1985, and 7 before 1985. One late respondent to
the survey had shown in 1990.
Perhaps the most important fact revealed by the above two
questions is that at least 121 artists had shown work in the
Northampton area in 1989, at least 70 in Northampton itself.
And during the period when most artists were responding, the
year was two months from completion.
Q10 This question asked for the occupation from which the artist
earned his /her major income during the last 12 months. Because
some artists gave mare than one source, the program was altered
to accept two. It was considered possible for an artist to earn
roughly equal amounts from each of two sources, and in some
cases it might be difficult for the artist to determine with
exactness the "major" source.
Two hundred-twenty-two individuals answered this question, 201
citing one major occupation, 21 citing two. For those 201 who
listed ONE MAJOR SOURCE OF INCOME, the breakdown was as follows:
OCCUPATION # who earned
major income _.
1. Artist 42
2 Art instructor 29
3 Arts manager-or-;administrator. 7
4, Commercial= artist 8:
5. Other art-related 29
6 Non -art related 59
7 Other 27
The figures below are the total responses form those citing one
major source of income (201) plus those citing two (21 artists
x 2 sources of income = 42) or 243 responses.
OCCUPATION
# of times cited
1 A2`t.ist 58
2 7,rt instructor 42
3 Arts manager or administrator 7
(Printing donated by COPYCAT Print Shop, Northampton. HA.)
OCCUPATION (cont.)
4 Commercial artist
5 Other art - related
6 Non -art related
7 Other
* of times cited
10
,34 .
63
29
P. 6 -
For the 21 artists whose income was earned from two occupations,
the figures are:
OCCUPATION
4 of times cited
1 Artist 16
2 Art instructor 13
3 Arts manager or administrator 0
4 Commercial artist 2
5 Other art - related 5
6 Non art - related 4
7 Other 2
Taking the first set of figures above, for those 201 who gave
one major source of income, a total of 115, or 570 of the 201,
earned a living by art - related endeavor (answers 1 -5). Forty -
two, nearly 21 %, did so by their.occupation as artists (ans-
wer #1). Fifty -nine individuals, or just over 29 %, earned
their major income from non -art related sources, while 27, or
approximately 13% cited "other" sources of income.
The second set of figures, the responses of those who indicated
one major occupation, plus those who indicated two (for a total
of 243 responses),. shows that 151 major sources of-income were
provided by art and art - related', endeavor (answers 1 -5), or 62%
of the total. response. Another 63 major sources of income,. or-
nearly 26 %, were provided by non art-related-occupations. And 29
sources of income, or just under 12 %,. were "other ".
The totals for response #1,. artist;. in both sets of figures
discussed above can be considered 'siight,under- representations.
Eighteen responses were received to-.answers *5' (other art=
rezatedA endeavor) and!;47 (other) in which an art or craft
activity was cited. For example'; "craft - pottery' ". "graphic
artist ", craftsperson. were'`descriptionsL attached to answer
#5.. "Craftsperson" was a description received for answer #7':
(other ) . ,
Q1.1 One hundred thirty -six of the total. 235 respondents said they
had to work at other jobs to support.their art,. 90 did not. Ten
dial not respond..
Q12.Ninety- f.i.ve of the 136 who had to work at other jobs to support
their art said their art - related expenses were covered by that
work. 'Forty- -three said their other jobs did not cover their
(Printing donated by COPYCAT Print Shop Northampton, MA.)
P. 7
art - related expenses, -That the figures (95 + 43) equal 138,
not 136 (the number who responded that they had to work at other
jobs) is a. bit puzzling. This quest ion., seems to have puzzled
many,. as indicated by question marks on'the survey forms. The
confusion might be attributable to differences in artistic
disciplines. While a writer might have few art - related
expenses, the director of a theatre company might have so many
as to be unable to cover them, even with another job.
Q13 To this question, which asked where the artists purchased most
art - related supplies, three responses could be given and the
artists were asked to rank them, #1 being most important. The
compilation of the artists' first - ranked choices is as follows:
MOST IMPORTANT ( #1) SOURCE
Northampton
Mail Order
New York or Boston
Other
Springfield
Greenfield
# of RESPONSES
81
54
52
28
8
3
The artists' second and third ranked choices were:
2nd MOST IMPORTANT SOURCE
Northampton.
Mail Order
Other
New York or Boston
Springfield
Greenfi.eld
# of RESPONSES
37
30
21
9
7
3
The figures shdw that Northampton was the most important source,
mail order was the second, and New York /Boston was the third.
Although -there was no request for artists to specify their
"other" source, twenty -two wrote in Amherst, another 10 wrote
in Hadley,. and one artist cited:Holyoke..
Q14 Artists were asked to give their two most important sources of
art - related services (legal, photographic, etc.) and rank them,
#1 being most important. The breakdown follows:
(Printing donated by COPYCAT Print Shop, Northampton, PIA)
Northampton.- 130
Other 49
New York or Boston 18
Greenfield 5
Springfield 4
2ND MOST IMPORTANT SOURCE # of RESPONSES
Northampton 16
Other 5
New York or Boston 4
Springfield 4
Greenfield 4
Q15 One hundred forty - seven, or 62% of the artists who responded to
the survey, owned their own homes. Eighty -three artists, or 35 %,
rented their homes. Six artists had "other" arrangements.
Q16 Ninety -six artists, slightly over 40%, owned their art work
space." Ninety -three artists, 39 %, rented; 32 artists, 13 1/25,
had "other" arrangements, for example, studio space provided
by the school or college where they teach. Fifteen artists, 6 %,
did not answer.
Several artists indicated in the space provided for "other" that
their work space was in their homes, so many of the same people
who own their homes also own their workspace_ In retrospect,
the addition of responses for workspace in home (owned) and
workspace in.home.(rented) would have given a clearer picture.
Q17 Seventy -one respondents,. 30%, shared workspace with others;
153. or 65%, did not. Twelve artists, 5%, did not answer..
•0-18 Eighty -five artists,. 36 %, worked in a building where other
artists - worked;. 138,. or 5.8 1/2%, did not.,. Thirteen. artists.
5 1/ 2%, d id: not ' ansfiaer r
Roughly one- 'one respondin artists
g__ then„ shared either..
their workspace or a building' which houses other artists'
workspace.
Q19 Of those artists who rented.their workspace. 83 did so on a
year- round basis; 15 did: so as needed. (Because. the total.
number of artists who answered that they rent workspace is 93,
and the total number of responses to this question is 98, it
must be assumed that 5 of the artists who had-"other"
arrangements for workspace found it. appropriate to answer this
question,)
(Printing donated by COPYCAT Print Shop, Northampton, MA.)
E' •
Q20 One hundred forty - eight, 62 1/2 %„ bore the full cost of their
art work space; 23, nearly 105, did. not. Another 26 artists,
1196, bore partial cost. Nine artists, 4%, have another arrange-
ment. Thirty artists, 12' 1/2 %, did not answer..
The kinds of arrangements specified for "other" are instructive- -
4 of the 9 indicated work space in the home; one indicated that
he /she had no workspace; another 4 stated arrangements that
could have been included under response 43, "bear partial
cost".
Q21 To this question on the zoning of their art work space, artists
answered as follows:
Residential 126
Commercial 34
Industrial 9
Mixed use 12
Don't know 20
Other 12
Of the 12 artists who answered "other ", 5 specified educational;
one cited state park; another 5 stated combinations such as resi-
dential /commercial, commercial /industrial, residential/agricul-
tural. One said zoning was dependent on the work space used,
indicating more than one work space.
Q22 Forty -one artists were employers, 36 of those in arts - related
-24 businesses which operated on a year -round basis. Another four
artists were employers whose businesses do not run on a year -
round basis.. Information on the last artist /employer is not
available from.the survey answers.
Q25 The next three questions asked artists about their expenses and
-27 space requirements: monthly operational cost of art work space;
annual - costs of art.- related work expenses; and specific require-
ments of art work space, Due to. a. typographical error which
asked artists who were not employers to skip to question 27
(the correct instruction would have been to skip to #25), the
.results from these questions are incomplete., However, a number
of artists who indicated they were not employers did answer
questi -orls` 25 -27,. 'so a.Ll. of: that 'information. was not lost.. Some
of it. certainly was however.
Q25 One hundred fourteen answered question 25, monthly operational
cost, of-art work space.. The totals: are as follows:
MONTHLY OPERATIONAL COST of Artists Who Pay Amount
$.0 - 99 28
$100 -199 32
:$r20Q -299 21.
$300 -399 14
$400 -499 2.
$500 -599 3
$600 -699. 6
$700 or more 8
(Printing donated by COPYCAT Print Shop. Northampton. MA.)
P. 10
For those whose expenses were
$700 or more. 6 wrote in a
specific figure. The highest
was $3000, the lowest $1000.
The average of the six figures
was $2083.33.
Q26 Annual costs of art - related expenses
broke down in the following
way:.
ART- RELATED SUPPLIES /SERVI -CES
# of Artists Who Pay Amount
I
$ 0 - 500
48
$501- -2500
45
$2501 -5000
17
over $5000
13
TOOLS /EQUIPMENT
$ 0 -- 500
63
$501 -2500
36
$2501 -5000
7
over $5000
6
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
$ 0 - 500
67
$501 -2500
17
$2501 -5000
4
over $5000
5
TRAINING /MAINTAINING CRAFT
$ 0 - 500
71
$50L -2500
23
$2501 -5000.
2
over $5000
2
PUBLICITY /MARKETING
$ 0 - 500
.70
$501- 2500 ~ -
25 -
$250:1 -5000 _
7_
over - $5000'
2: a
TRAVEL /SHIPPING
$ 0 - 5010
70
$501 -2500
32
$2501 -5000
8
over $5000
4
OTHER
$ 0 500
29
$501-2500
12
$2501 -5000
7
over $5000
3
(Printing donated by COPYCAT Print Shop. Nortbampton, XA.)
P. 11
Q27 With regard to the specific requirements of their art work
space, artists could give 9 responses (8 of the specified
choices plus "other "). The artists,' requirements ranked as
follows:,
REQUIREMENTS # OF RESPONSES
Heat
119
Running water
87
Storage space
86
Electrical wiring /amperage
85
Extra -large space
54
Special light
53
Large windows
46
Access to freight elevator
26
Extra -high ceilings
25
Other
25
Special floors
22
Sound proofing
21
Darkroom
21
Special acoustics
20
Air conditioning
17
Q28 Questions 28 -29 asked about the artists' need to relocate their
-29 art work space within the past 5 years. Ninety -four had been
required to move their art work space; 122 had not;.20 did not
answer. That is, close to 40% (.398305) had had to move their
art work space: another 520 (.5169491) had not been required to
move 8% (.0847457) did not answer. Of those 94 who had been
required to relocate their art work space, 38 had done so more
than once.
Q30 Artists who had had to relocate their
once or more than once, could indicat,
move(s). The answers.given ranked as
REASONS: FOR RELOCATING
..,.Workspace.! became' unavailable
Workspace- became. Una fford'able
Works ace requirements:. 'changed.
art work space, either
five reasons for the
follows:
# of Responses
22
4T
p 2.1
Other 18
My artistic.employment required-. 8
me to relocate
My non- artistic employment 8
required-me to relocate
Landlord did not want me there 6
My mate's employment required 3
me to relocate
Zoning change required me to leave 0
(Printing donated by COPYCAT Print Shop, Northampton, MA.)
1. P. 12
Q31 Question 31 asked the artists to indicate income category, based
solely on their work as artists.. for the year 1988. Two hundred
twenty -six artists answered-this question, 10 did not_ The res-
pondents gave their- income as fol-l'$ws-:`,•.
INCOME CATEGORY
$ 0 - $ 500
$ 501- $3,000
$ 3,001 - $7,000
$ 7,001- $12,000
$12,001- $20,000
$20,001- $40,000
more than $40,000
The seven artists who earned more
incomes as: $200,000.
$180,000.
$100.000.
$ 50,000.
$ 50,000.
$ 45,000.
$ 42,000.
# of Artists in Category
60
52
23
22
30
32
7
than $40,000 specified their
The average income for this group of seven artists was $95,286.
However, 60 artists earned less than $500. from their art, and
another 52 earned $3,000. or less. One respondent wrote a note
to say that not only had he /she earned no income from art work,
but instead had incurred a loss of $3,000.
Q32 If the amount of income earned from work as an artist, varied
widely from the previous year,., artists were asked to specify
1987's income. Twenty -six artists did so and the figures given
range from $500.. to $135,000. Individual correlations of these
income- levels have.not been..reccrded.. 'In..no. case was a rags-
to�-riches scenario, or its reverse, indicated.
Q33 The-' last quest. ion asked for the: one, term ;the artist. used tc
des.cri.be his or,her occupation when responding to questionnaires
or ce'nsi -is forms. The, responses were a virtual, celebration of
self'- definition. Thirty- eight defined themselves :aa "'artist,
69 gave their specific artistic discipline ie. actress,
director, musician. Forty -four cited anon -art related occupa-
tion. '
Forty -nine artists used more than one term,. including 11 who
defined.themselves as "artist / "plus another art or non --art
related occupation_. Another 25.gave their specific discipline
plus other - occupation. There were' also two arts administrators,
two techpicians, two gallery owners, four students, and one who
responded by giving his name.
(Printing-donated by COPYCAT Print Shop, Northampton, MA.)
SOME CORRELATIONS
MAJOR INCOME FROM ART and INCOME CATEGORY,,.
Those 58 artists who earned major income from their occupa-
tion as artists (question 10,. response #1), including those
who cited one source of income and those who cited two, gave
their income categories (question 31) as follows:
INCOME CATEGORY
$ 0 - $500
$ 501 -- $3.000
$3,001 - $7.000
$7,001 - $12,000
$12,001 - $20,000
$20,001 - $40.000
more than $40,000
# OF Artists in Category
3
8
6
5
17
14
5
P. 13
AGE, GENDER, and INCOME
Income category from art work increased with the age of the
respondents, but on average only through age 39 and income
category $3,000 - $7,000.
AVERAGE
AGE CATEGORY # of Respondents INCOME CATEGORY
under 20 4 $ 0 - $500
20 -29 21 $501 -- $3000
30 -39 101 $3,001- $7,000
40 -49. 80 $3,.000 - $7,000
50 --59, 21 $3, 000 -$7, 000
60 and over 9 $3,000 - $7,000
The average age for the -seven artists in the highest income cate-
gory ( over - $40,000)`,: who had an average income: of $95,:286._, was T
age 49
Gender. was not a factor i.n income earned. from, artwork : The .
average income for. al. 1, males was - .$3` 001 - $7,.000; . for' all femal.es
$3',:001 -$7; 000 ; ..and. for. a 11 respondents- $3i 001- $7,.000.._ Of-the
highest income 'earners (more. than $40,.000) 5 were male ;: 2 were
female. The, highest amount was. earned by a woman_,
HOME, WORKSPACE,' arad_ INCOME
Of those 147 respondents who own-their own homes', 95 also own
their workspace.. Twenty -seven others.rent their workspace.
Seven have "other" arrangements for workspace.
Of the 83 arti.sts:who rent their homes, one owns his /her
workspace.
The homeowners had earned. their major income during the twelve
months preceding the survey from the following occupations:
(Printing donated by COPYCAT Print Shop. Northampton, MA.)
P. 1.4
OCCUPATION # OF HOMEOWNERS
Artist 38
Art instructor 27
Arts mgr /admin. 6
Commercial artist 4
Other art- related 23
Non -art related 31
Other 20
INCOME and WORKSPACE
Income was a factor in the need to relocate art work space.
Those who had to move art work space because it became
unavailable (question 30, response #4), gave their income
categories as follows:
INCOME CATEGORY # of Artists in Category
$ 0 - $ 500 10
$ 501 - $3,000 8
$3,001 - $7,000 0
$7,001 - $12,000 3
$12,001 - $20,.000 1
$20,001-$40,000 0
over $40,000 0
Those who had to relocate art work space because it became
unaffordable (question 30, response #5) gave their income
categories as follows:
$ 0 $ 500
$501 $3,.00:0 _ , ,.
$3,001 $7,000 1
$7,001 -$12',.000 2
$12,001 $20,-GOO 5
$.20 000 - $40,000 1
over° .40 000 0
.
CONCLUSIONS
It is hoped that' the information gained from this survey and.
reported here will. prove useful to the community and.. most
especially, to its artists. A question about the population from
which the information was drawn seemn appropriate, however. That is, .
is-the population which responded to the survey representative of
Northampton area artists?
(Printing donated by COPYCAT Print Shop, Northampton, MA.)
P. 15
Here is a picture of the artist which emerges from the data:
He or she is mature (average age 39) and almost twice as likely to
be a she as a he. This artist is not very affluent, at least not as
a result of art work; has probably been a ,resident of the area for
more than ten years; and is likely to own a home. He or she is
staying, in this area because of personal ties„ cultural activity,
and environmental quality.
This composite portrait may be quite accurate or it may be omitting
some important features. For example, where are the artists aged 20-
25? The age of survey respondents jumps from age 19, represented by
one artist, to age 25, also represented by one artist, Are there no
20 -25 year old artists out there? Have they not yet joined
organizations (and, thus, not gotten their names on mailing lists)?
Are they less likely to respond to organizations and surveys than
their older counterparts? Probably the latter two questions can be
answered affirmatively. That there are none out there seems
unlikely.
All of this is only to emphasize that the picture presented here,
although drawn as accurately as possible, is most certainly flawed.
It is the best we have for now. but it will bear another rendering
by a keener eye and with a sharper pencil in the not -too- distant
future.
0
0
r
(Printing donated by COPYCAT Print Shoo. Northampton. MA_)
APPENDIX
�.
SOURCE. LISTS for'ARTISTS. ALLIANCE MAILING .LIST.
Amherst Writers & Artists
Art's Extension Service
Five Colleges
Forbes Library
Illustrators Guild of Western Massachusetts
Leverett Craftsmen & Artists
Northampton Cultural Plan
Northampton Theatre Alliance
One Cottage Street, Easthampton (provided by Christine Knox)
Project Opera /Pioneer Valley Symphony
Valley Women Artists
David Bourbeau
Joan Braderman
Jaq Chartier
Gregory Hayes
Karen. Mailler
Stephen Petegorsky
II. TOWNS & CITIES INCLUDED IN ARTISTS ALLIANCE MAILING LIST
(Printing donated by COPYCAT Print Shop, Northampton,MA.)