Starving Artist? Maybe Not

When I think of artists, I don’t generally think “economic powerhouses.” Sure there are the A-list Hollywood actors and the New York Times bestsellers, but those come few and far between, right? This article on the New York Times website has me reconsidering. After reading it, one thing is clear: this creative group has as big a financial impact as they do a cultural one.

The National Endowment for the Arts has put together a “nationwide profile of professional artists in the 21^st century,” using figures from the most recent U.S. census to do so. There were more than a few surprising stats for this group of professionals that is often thought of as “mostly marginal and unemployed.” Here were some of my faves:

• The census includes architects, interior designers, and window dressers as “artists’ occupations”
• Nearly 2 million Americans were employed in artist occupations in 2005
• The median income of this group for 2005 was $34,800 (which, incidentally, is $4,700 more than the national median income ($30,100))
• Architects laid claim to the highest median income of all artists, coming in at $58,000

Where I went wrong in my original line of thinking was that I always considered the profession of “artist” as encompassing only the fine arts. It’s actually much broader than that and I am glad to be proven wrong. Since starting my job at F.C. Dadson, I’ve seen many retail interiors and displays that I would consider art. Some I would consider as breathtaking and mesmerizing as any Van Gogh or Monet. It takes a great amount of creativity and skill to be a successful retail designer or architect. It’s nice to see that that fact is officially recognized.

Fun Fact:
Artists flock to California and New York, but if you’re an architect or designer, chances are you live in Massachusetts. Turns out, the state is home to the most in each category. Looking to get away from the competition or can’t afford the high cost of living in these locales? Check out Minnesota, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and New Mexico. These states are experiencing growing artist populations and offer more affordable accommodations.