The purpose of the Arts and Culture Barometer is to annually monitor and highlight the views of actors in the field of the arts regarding current issues and phenomena. The theme of the Arts and Culture Barometer 2021 is artists in the future. The material for the barometer comprises a questionnaire to which 1 056 artists responded. The final report looks at the future for artists and producing art through the possible, probable and desirable futures that emerge from the material. The Arts and Culture Barometer is conducted by the Arts Promotion Centre Finland (Taike) together with the Center for Cultural Policy Research (Cupore).

For overview, summary and visions for the future, scroll down and click “More”. You can also download the whole report (in Finnish) as a PDF-file.

Ruusuvirta, Minna, Lahtinen, Emmi, Rensujeff, Kaija & Kurlin Niiniaho, Ari (2022). Taiteen ja kulttuurin barometri 2021. Tulevaisuuden taiteentekijät. Cuporen verkkojulkaisuja 69. Kulttuuripolitiikan tutkimuskeskus Cupore.

ISBN 978-952-7200-67-4; ISSN 1796-9263

OVERVIEW

The theme of the Arts and Culture Barometer 2021 is artists in the future. The material for the barometer comprises a questionnaire to which 1 056 artists responded. The final report looks at the future for artists and producing art through the possible, probable and desirable futures that emerge from the material. The Arts and Culture Barometer is conducted by the Arts Promotion Centre Finland (Taike) together with the Center for Cultural Policy Research (Cupore).

According to the results of the barometer, a regular and secure livelihood is a widely shared wish for the future among artists. A universal and unconditional basic income is supported by two-thirds of artists. Earning a livelihood from multiple sources and combining work in different positions is suitable to many artists, but managing such arrangements is also time-consuming and difficult and could cause problems in terms of social security. In addition to a stable livelihood, the respondents hope for a future in which they can develop themselves as artists and their professional skills, secure their status, and gain recognition as artists.

Artists consider it important that they experience themselves and their work as meaningful. Artists hope that their know-how and professional skills would be widely utilised in different contexts in the future, yet they consider this rather unlikely to happen. More multidisciplinary art, increasing interaction, and the blurring of boundaries between different fields of the arts are seen as quite desirable, while at the same time they hope for the opportunity to be able to focus on their own specific field of the arts and artistic work.

The majority of artists are optimistic about the future. However, artists experience a great deal of pressure and stress in their work, particularly due to the constant uncertainty about work opportunities and earning a steady livelihood. It is widely felt among artists that they are not valued in society as much as other professional groups and that that there are structures within the arts sector that maintain inequality. The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced their feelings of insecurity and lack of appreciation, as well as the number of artists experiencing these feelings. Young artists are more likely to experience concern and uncertainty about the future.

Artists consider technological advances, changes in work and working life, and economic development as the trends and changes that will have the biggest impact on the work and working conditions of artists in the future. They believe that technological advances will enable increased interaction, larger audiences and greater earning potential. Threats include growing inequality due to technology. The ability of individual artists to respond to the threats and opportunities created by these trends varies greatly.

SUMMARY AND VISIONS OF THE FUTURE

The purpose of the Arts and Culture Barometer is to annually monitor and highlight the views of artists regarding current issues and phenomena. The 2021 barometer examined the theme of artists in the future. The results of the barometer are based on a questionnaire to which 1 056 artists responded in autumn 2021. The report presents the views of artists on the changing forms of being an artist, trends that are affecting the work of the artist, the future prospects for artists, and the status of art and artists in society. As in the 2020 barometer, the questionnaire included a separate section about the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

Although the future cannot be predicted, it is also not predetermined and can be influenced by one’s own actions and choices (Rubin, n.d.). Social phenomena and developments are produced, interpreted and influenced by social actors, each from their own point of view. With two years of the global pandemic behind us, the future also looks uncertain and threatening to many. However, futurist Risto Linturi, interviewed in a newspaper article on the work of the future, urges that utopias be preferred to dystopias (Vainio, 2021). According to Linturi, everyone should have hope and a credible vision to aim towards.

In order to achieve and strive for the desired developments and visions, it is necessary to identify future developments and their opportunities, as well as any threats that need to be avoided. In this report, the views on the future of being an artist and creating art have been examined through possible, probable and desirable futures drawn from the responses and opinions of artists (Amara, 1981). In the following analysis, these views are grouped under four themes. At the end of the summary for each theme, the artists’ hopes for the future are combined to form a common vision for the future.

A regular and secure livelihood is a wish for the future that is widely shared by artists

Artists wish for a future in which they can create art without the constant uncertainty about earning a livelihood. The profession of being an artist and creating art is simply a profession among others, and by practicing this profession, it is possible to earn an adequate livelihood and social security.

However, in the responses of artists, the realisation of the future they wish for appears uncertain. This uncertainty about their own financial situation and wellbeing concerns both the present and the future. The majority of respondents feel that the income they receive from their work as an artist is often insufficient in relation to the amount of artistic work they do and that the uncertainty and competition associated with funding in the field will only increase in the future. The responses of young artists in particular raise concerns about the future and the need to strive for a secure and regular livelihood. Problems related to social security are linked to uncertainty about their own livelihoods. There are still shortcomings in social security for artists, even though these grievances have been known for years.

What types of income sources and labour market status do artists want? Generating income from multiple sources and combining work performed in different positions are suitable for many artists and are hoped for also the future. Two out of three respondents support a universal and unconditional basic income. Grants would be a welcome source of incomemfor many, but based on the responses, artists fear that receiving grants will become more difficult in the future and that competition for grants will increase. The grant system is perceived as unfair in many ways, and experiences of favouritism or unequal treatment in the distribution of grants, for example, are common. According to the experiences of artists, grants favour the few and chosen ones and often focus unnecessarily narrowly on current or otherwise trendy themes.

In the responses of artists, an increase in paid work wage earners is considered a desirable development, especially among young artists. Although artists hope that paid work will increase, they do not see it as a likely development in the future. Instead, many believe that entrepreneurial work will increase. Although entrepreneurship is suitable for some artists, many artists consider an increase in entrepreneurship to be less desirable. Art is also created from different starting points: some artists like to do more commercial works that meet the client’s wishes and are often better paid, while others see them as a threat to the freedom of art.

• VISION: The work of an artist is considered a profession alongside other professions, and by creating art it is possible to earn a regular and adequate livelihood. The income sources and labour market status of artists are diverse. Decision-making and funding identify both specific themes within individual fields of the arts, as well as activities that transcend artforms and boundaries. Funding for the arts is secured, and the working conditions of independent artists are also good. A universal and unconditional basic income has been introduced. Livelihoods are also secured in situations where no work is available or it has been prevented. Social security, unemployment and pension systems have fairly taken into account situations where income is obtained from a variety of sources and in different labour market positions. Organisations representing different fields of the arts collaborate in advocating on behalf of artists and have influence in decision-making.

Broader recognition of the skills of artists is hoped for from the future

Artists hope that in the future the differences between different fields of art will disappear and that artists will be more multidisciplinary and work in more than one field of the arts. At the same time, however, the responses highlight quite strongly the hope that artists could focus in peace on their own field of the arts and creating their own art. For many, working and developing as an artist is also strongly associated with interacting and collaborating with colleagues and the artist community.

Artists have very different reasons for creating art and working as artists. Based on their responses, it is important that artists feel they are relevant to society. A clear majority of the artists who responded to the questionnaire hoped that in the future the professional skills of artists will be more widely utilised in society. However, according to their responses, artists consider it quite unlikely that art and the skills of artists will be utilised more widely in the future. This is due, for example, to a lack of understanding and awareness of the potential of art and artists in other sectors and decision-making.

Art is subject to different expectations and aspirations in terms of its role in society and its development. Political power relations and their changes also affect the roles that artists and art are given or not given. Artists feel that art is often expected to seek solutions to various problems in society. For example, demands that art should have a positive impact on wellbeing and vitality are mostly considered undesirable. Respondents are also sceptical about the demands of funding bodies, who they feel want to guide the contents of art, for example through various thematic calls for applications.

It also emerges from the responses that artists feel a sense of responsibility towards the development trends in society, such as climate change and sustainable development. The working environment of artists develops, conforms and adapts to different developments. For example, in the future, artists believe that ecological issues will affect not only the themes addressed in art but also the making of art, for example through reduced travel and material choices. The diversification of society is also seen as a likely development that will affect the activities and working environment of artists in the future. A diverse community of artists works in a diverse and multi-professional working environment. Different and individual identities are highlighted alongside traditional ones, and the sources of identities diversify. A one-dimensional image of artists and the profession of creating art does not reflect reality in the future.

• VISION: The importance and value of art to society is widely recognised and acknowledged. Investments are made in art education and training. The perception of being an artist and artistic work has expanded. Different ways of working as a professional artist and creating art are recognised, valued and promoted. Art and the skills of artists generate new perspectives and raise topical issues in the social debate. Artists have opportunities to use their skills in a variety of roles and sectors.

The work and wellbeing of artists: the coronavirus pandemic has reinforced the feeling of uncertainty and a lack of appreciation

Making art and the creative work that is at the heart of being an artist are positive aspects that support the wellbeing of artists. What artists hope for from the future are the chance to develop themselves as artists and their professional skills, the consolidation of their status as artists, gaining respect as artists and earning a stable livelihood as artists. The idea of switching sectors and professions is impossible for most artists.

The thoughts of artists regarding their own professional future are twofold. The majority of responding artists are at least somewhat optimistic about their future as an artist. Optimism about the future is created by a strong belief in their own work and artistry and the feeling that they can influence their own future as artists. However, the majority of respondents are also concerned about their ability to cope in future working life. Artists experience a great deal of concern and stress in their work. Stress is caused in particular by the constant insecurity surrounding work and earnings opportunities.

The general changes in work and working life, as well as the uncertainty regarding work and earnings opportunities, reinforce the need to anticipate the future. The ability of individual artists to react and anticipate situations varies greatly. Artists must be constantly prepared for change and master a wide range of skills, including those unrelated to the actual making of art. The need for extensive skills and continuous learning is considered a very likely yet somewhat undesirable future trend among respondents. The likely demands of working life would seem to be greater than what artists themselves are prepared for.

In the light of the data from the barometer, many structures within the arts sector appear to maintain inequality in different fields of the arts, which in turn affect the wellbeing of artists and their ability to cope. These inequalities relate to, for example, funding for the arts and funding practices, but also to experiences of discrimination and injustice. Considering and supporting equality, fairness and diversity are prerequisites for ensuring more equal opportunities for creating art and working as an artist. This can help prevent polarisation and the emergence and accumulation of inequality.

The coronavirus pandemic has negatively affected the professional prospects of many artists, as well as strengthened and increased the feeling among artists that they are not valued. Almost all the artists who responded to the questionnaire felt that artists are not valued in our society as much as other professional groups. The majority of artists question society’s desire to improve the status of artists and the ability of decision-makers to appreciate the work of artists and the profession of creating art. As a result of the pandemic, one-fifth of all artists and one-third of artists in the fields of music and performing arts have considered switching or have already switched professions. According to the barometer, young artists in particular are coping poorly and are most worried about the future. Young people view the future more negatively than other age groups, and more young artists than average have considered switching professions.

• VISION: Society supports and promotes the wellbeing, coping, training and continuous learning of artists working in all kinds of situations and labour market positions. Artists feel that their profession is valued, that they are seen and heard, and that they are treated fairly and equally in society. The same applies to practices and policies between and within individual fields of the arts. Variety and diversity are reflected in the art community, in funding for the arts, and in how art is made and experienced.

Technology is transforming artistic activities – the inevitability of the phenomena emerging from this trend is a concern for many artists

Artists believe that a wide range of phenomena linked to digitalisation and technological advances are likely to have a strong impact on their artistic work and working environment in the future, affecting both the making of art and its presentation and distribution. Technology already plays a strong role in making art and sharing it among different audiences. The coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the digital leap among artists, forcing them to adopt various teleworking methods, for example. Many artists have taught or practiced with their groups remotely for the first time. The presentation and distribution of art through digital channels has also expanded and strengthened.

There is much that is unpredictable and unforeseeable related to technological advances. Artists consider the advantages and opportunities to be, for example, wider opportunities for interaction and encountering others, larger audiences and new earnings opportunities. However, the inevitability of technological advances frightens and worries many artists.

One particular concern in this development is that technology may increase inequality. Not everyone is interested in or can master new methods, and the teleworking that has been made possible by technological advances and become so common during the coronavirus pandemic is not equally suitable for all fields of the arts. According to some respondents to the questionnaire, the impact of technological advances on the making of art poses a threat to the preservation of traditional skills and techniques. With technological advances, the various techniques used to make, present and distribute art will become more widely available to the general public in the future, and this could pose challenges to professional art and the livelihoods of professional artists. Artists are also sceptical about receiving adequate compensation in the future for displaying or performing art online and about enforcing copyrights. Also, many artists consider the increased performance of art and presence of artists on social media to be undesirable.

• VISION: Technological advances have created new opportunities to make and distribute art, to specialise, to engage with audiences, to earn a livelihood and to increase interaction. Alongside technological advances, a wide variety of methods and forms of making art are supported and maintained. Artists are always reimbursed for the distribution and presentation of their art in different media and channels, copyrights are respected, and the remuneration for copyrights is fair. The spread of inequality is prevented by providing support to artists to acquire technological skills and tools.