Okay, maybe this is preaching to the choir, but a new study released by the National Endowment for the Arts found that Massachusetts has the third highest percentage of artists per 10,000 people. We’re number three, behind New York and California.
And, we’re number one when it comes to the number of architects and designers per 10,000 people.
The study, “Artists in the Workforce: 1990-2005,” is considered the first of its kind and was compiled using US Census figures. The study is meant to show the “largely unrecognized role that artists play in the economy” and could be used “as a tool to argue for increased support for artists.”
In 2003-05 Massachusetts had 54,852 artists. Though this is below the totals in states like California, New York, and Texas, the ratio of artists in the entire state bumps us up to the ranking of number 3. Boston ranks fifth among US metropolitan areas (38,885 artists).
Over 49% of Massachusetts artists are women.
And Governor Deval Patrick this month appointed Jason Schupbach the country’s first Creative Economy Director, whose mission is to help everyone in the arts, from visual artists to videogame makers
According to Anita Walker, executive director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council, “we are on the road to recognizing the fact that they (artists) are a part of the economy, and the mere discussion of something called the creative economy, the recognition that it exists, is starting to elevate our artists into the economic discussion.”
So consider yourself elevated!
-Posted by Amy C.
Amy,
It is great to hear that we rank high in artist concentration. This parallels high marks in design and advanced technology, too. Maybe there is a cause and effect relationship here. I am not sure that the fact that there are a lot of us means that we are in line for more funding, but it sure does sound like we are in line to become better interconnected.
If our growth might not be measured in terms of larger numbers or in terms of larger net earnings, what value will we stand to gain through enhanced interconnections? I am sure that there are great answers to this question … my own answer is that by connecting beyond my own visions I can discover new horizons, and with new horizons come new opportunities.
We might have the critical mass to do some really remarkable things in and for the world depending upon how we become functionally interconnected. I look forward to Jason Schupbach’s plan for the future.
t
Hi Tom,
I agree that it is quite important for artists to network with each other. Because many of us work in isolation, we need to reach out for support and interaction. The online community is one place to start as are local guilds. And you’re right; you never know where one connection/contact might lead. I, too, look forward to learning more about Jason Schupbach’s plans for the creative communities.
-Amy