At the core of every work of art, every play we attend, and every concert we enjoy is the work’s creator, the artist. While much attention has been paid to the organizations that employ these talented individuals, less is known about the needs of artists, the resources they have and want, and the values they place on their art and on their profession. The Center’s research identifies artists’ needs for human and social services that have a direct bearing on their ability and effectiveness to carry out their work. Through this research, the Center raises awareness about the creative process, social and professional needs, and resources for artists. This research helps advocates, funders, and artists find new ways to provide better resources and training for artists, as well as come to a better understanding of artists and their values.
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A Study of the Worklife of Jazz Musicians (2003)
Location of Research: Detroit, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco
Discipline: Music / Musician
Abstract: Through a cooperative agreement between the National Endowment for the Arts and the San Francisco Study Center, the study assesses the needs of living jazz artists and how the jazz communities differ in supporting jazz musicians in Detroit, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco.
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Artist as Citizen: After the Culture Wars (1988)
Location of Research: United States
Discipline: Visual Arts / General
Abstract: The impetus for this study was to track the condition of artists, as expressed by the artists themselves, from 1988 to 1997. The original study, INFORMATION ON ARTISTS I, licited information about artists’ work-related human and social service needs in the areas OF health care, pension, welfare, credit, live/work space and legal and financial need. The new survey, INFORMATION ON ARTISTS II, while remaining basically the same for comparison purposes, added 14 new questions on Community, Technology and Professional Status.
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Artisthelp: The Artist's Guide to Work-Related Human and Social Services (1989)
Location of Research: United States
Discipline: Arts / General
Abstract: This guide includes representative listings of resources in health care, financial and legal expertise from over 120 U.S. cities in fifty states and the District of Columbia. It includes a section on national organizations and artists’ unions with a list of benefits and services, fees, geographic area served, and eligibility requirements. It is then organized by state and city, with a profile and organizations at the state level, and, at the city level, an overview of population, artist population, form of government and an arts-related profile, and relevant organizations in each city.
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Artists in the Workforce: Employment and Earnings 1970-1990 (1990)
Location of Research: United States
Discipline: Visual Arts / General
Abstract: This report, commissioned by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) documents the employment and earnings of authors, visual artists, performing artists and architecture and design occupations. Joan Jeffri and Robert Greenblatt wrote the section on Artists Who Work With Their Hands which studies painters, sculptors, craft artists and artist printmakers who comprise one occupational category of the U.S. census.
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Artists Who Work With Their Hands: Painters, Sculptors, Craft Artists and Printmakers A Trend Report (1990)
Discipline: Arts / General
Abstract: Available in Chapter II of Artists in the Work Force: Employment and Earnings, 1970-1990 Research Report #37, National Endowment for the Arts, 1996 ISBN # 0-929766-48-6)
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Bibliography: Research on Artists
Discipline: Arts / General
Abstract: A partially annotated bibliography of articles, books and studies about artists done in a broad array of fields - sociology, economics, arts education, psychology, arts administration and others.
http://www.tc.edu/centers/rcac/html/rcac_biblio_frame.htm
Changing the Beat: A Study of the Worklife of Jazz Musicians (2003)
Location of Research: New York, Detroit, San Francisco and New Orleans
Discipline: Music / Musician
Abstract: This study examines the worklife of jazz musicians in New York, Detroit, San Francisco and New Orleans. Information from jazz artists using 2 different survey sampling methodologies - respondent-driven-sampling and a random sample of musician union members - are analyzed and discussed. 2003.
National Endowment for the Arts has made available the following reports for download.
The 3 volume study is available in PDF. Volume I: Executive Summary, Volume II: American Federation of Musicians Survey Results, Volume III: Respondent-Driven Sampling.
Dedicated to Dance: The New Jersey Dance Needs Assessment Project (2006)
Location of Research: New Jersey
Discipline: Dance / Dancer
Abstract: Commissioned by service organization DANCE NJ, this study provides a needs assessment of dancers and dancer workers--from dance teachers and choreographers to set and costume designers for dance--in the state of New Jersey.
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By downloading the full report, you agree to all applicable copyright laws. View copyright agreement.
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Information on Artists
Location of Research: Multiple cities, United States
Discipline: Arts / General
Abstract: A database on artists in Boston, Cape Cod, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St.Paul, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and western Massachusetts.
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Information on Artists II: Actors (1997)
Location of Research: Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York, and San Francisco
Discipline: Theater / Actor
Abstract: An update in four of the original cities in Information on Artists a decade later: Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York, and San Francisco. The executive summary is from the New York Study, but all studies can be ordered through the order form attached to the excerpt of the Full Report. The reports themselves are lengthy and we suggest that you order a hard copy. It will take approximately two weeks for arrival, but the documents can be downloaded in Adobe Acrobat for the same price.
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Information on Artists II: Los Angeles (1997)
Location of Research: Los Angeles, California
Discipline: Arts / General
Abstract: An update in four of the original cities in Information on Artists a decade later: Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York, and San Francisco. The executive summary is from the New York Study, but all studies can be ordered through the order form attached to the excerpt of the Full Report. The reports themselves are lengthy and we suggest that you order a hard copy. It will take approximately two weeks for arrival, but the documents can be downloaded in Adobe Acrobat for the same price.
Download Extended Abstract
Download Excerpt of Full Report
Information on Artists II: Minneapolis/St. Paul (1997)
Location of Research: Minneapolis/St. Paul
Discipline: Arts / General
Abstract: An update in four of the original cities in Information on Artists a decade later: Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York, and San Francisco. The executive summary is from the New York Study, but all studies can be ordered through the order form attached to the excerpt of the Full Report. The reports themselves are lengthy and we suggest that you order a hard copy. It will take approximately two weeks for arrival, but the documents can be downloaded in Adobe Acrobat for the same price.
Download Extended Abstract
Download Excerpt of Full Report
Information on Artists II: New York (1997)
Location of Research: New York, NY
Discipline: Arts / General
Abstract: An update in four of the original cities in Information on Artists a decade later: Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York, and San Francisco. The executive summary is from the New York Study, but all studies can be ordered through the order form attached to the excerpt of the Full Report. The reports themselves are lengthy and we suggest that you order a hard copy. It will take approximately two weeks for arrival, but the documents can be downloaded in Adobe Acrobat for the same price.
Download Extended Abstract
Download Executive Summary
Download Excerpt of Full Report
Information on Artists II: Race Report (1997)
Location of Research: Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York, and San Francisco
Discipline: Arts / General
Abstract: An update in four of the original cities in Information on Artists a decade later: Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York, and San Francisco. The executive summary is from the New York Study, but all studies can be ordered through the order form attached to the excerpt of the Full Report. The reports themselves are lengthy and we suggest that you order a hard copy. It will take approximately two weeks for arrival, but the documents can be downloaded in Adobe Acrobat for the same price.
Download Extended Abstract
Download Excerpt of Full Report
Information on Artists II: San Francisco (1997)
Location of Research: San Francisco, California
Discipline: Arts / General
Abstract: An update in four of the original cities in Information on Artists a decade later: Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York, and San Francisco. The executive summary is from the New York Study, but all studies can be ordered through the order form attached to the excerpt of the Full Report. The reports themselves are lengthy and we suggest that you order a hard copy. It will take approximately two weeks for arrival, but the documents can be downloaded in Adobe Acrobat for the same price.
Download Extended Abstract
Download Excerpt of Full Report
Information on Artists III: Bay Area (2004)
Location of Research: Bay Area, California
Discipline: Arts / General
Abstract: Information on Artists III is a 2004 update on the work-related, human and social service needs and realities of artists in the San Francisco Bay Area. It refers to prior studies in 1997 and 1988.
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By downloading the full report, you agree to all applicable copyright laws. View copyright agreement.
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Information on Artists III: New York Special Focus Aging Artists (2006)
Location of Research: New York, NY
Discipline: Arts / General
Abstract: This study capitalizes on two previous studies of artists in New York in 1988 and 1997. It looks at artists 62 and over in areas of work-related human and social service needs including health care, pension and welfare, live/work space, education, income, income from art as well as areas of physical and emotional change.
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Notes from the Black Keys
Discipline: Music / Musician
Abstract: Notes from the Black Keys was commissioned by the Music Assistance Fund to better understand the training and career development of black symphony orchestra musicians in the United States.
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Philanthropy and the American Artist: A Historical Overview (1997)
Discipline: Arts / General
Abstract: Philanthropy and the American Artist: A Historical Overview traces the history of support for individual artists since the country began. Paying special attention to women and minorities, this article was spurred by the integration of artists into society in the mid-1800s as small businessmen in Philadelphia, New York and Boston. In a little over a hundred years artists are entrenched in the culture wars and, ironically, while more and more voices are being heard, the philanthropic community may not be ready to hear them..
Citation: Jeffri, Joan. "Philanthropy and the American Artist: A Historical Overview Cultural Policy, Vol. 3, No. 2 (1997), pp. 207-233
Professionalism and the Visual Artist (1994)
Discipline: Visual Arts / General
Abstract: A comparison of visual artists in the United States and Australia.
Citation: Jeffri, Joan. "Professionalism and the Visual Artist," Cultural Policy, Vol. 1, No. 1 (1994), pp. 99-108.
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Studies of Artists: An Annotated Bibliography
Discipline: Arts / General
Abstract: compiled by Princeton University's Center for Arts and Culture (www.princeton.edu/~artspol)
Telling Their Story: A Study of Storytellers in the United States
Discipline: Writing / Storyteller
Abstract: Using the method of Respondent-driven sampling, this study concentrates on the needs and realities of storytellers involved in Performance, Presentation and Practice, ranging from indigenous, to paid to organizational storytellers.
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The aDvANCE Project: a study of Career Transition for Professional Dancers (2004)
Discipline: Dance / Dancer
Abstract: This is the first study of its kind, a coordinated inquiry into the career transition of professional dancers in different countries. In total, eleven countries were included: sample surveys were undertaken in Australia, Switzerland, and the United States to provide insights into the challenges of career change as seen from the viewpoint of the individual dancer, and country profiles were written in eight additional countries to illustrate further the global environment of dance. The expected launch date for report is fall 2004.
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By downloading the full report, you agree to all applicable copyright laws. View copyright agreement.
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The Artist Alone: Work-Related Human and Social Service Needs (1987)
Discipline: Arts / General
Abstract: Journal of Arts Management and Law, special monograph, Fall 1987.
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The Artist Speaks Series:The Actor Speaks (1994)
Discipline: Theater / Actor
Abstract: As part of the Artists Training and Career Project, 150 oral history interviews were conducted in the fields of acting, crafts and painting with 35 artists in each field and 15 related experts. These oral histories informed a questionnaire that was then sent to 6,000 actors, 4,000 craftspeople and 2,000 painters. They focused on the career development of these artists, from early childhood through mature careers and included artists from the unknown to the very well known, from all parts of the country, from amateur to professional, and from a great variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
Citation: Jeffri, Joan, The Actor Speaks: Actors Disuss Their Experiences and Careers. Westport, Greenwood Press: 1994.
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The Artist Speaks Series:The Craftsperson Speaks (1992)
Discipline: Crafts / Craftpeople
Abstract: As part of the Artists Training and Career Project, 150 oral history interviews were conducted in the fields of acting, crafts and painting with 35 artists in each field and 15 related experts. These oral histories informed a questionnaire that was then sent to 6,000 actors, 4,000 craftspeople and 2,000 painters. They focused on the career development of these artists, from early childhood through mature careers and included artists from the unknown to the very well known, from all parts of the country, from amateur to professional, and from a great variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
Citation: Jeffri, Joan, The Craftsperson Speaks: Artists in Varied Media Discuss Their Crafts. New York, Greenwood Press: 1992.
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The Artist Speaks Series:The Painter Speaks (1993)
Discipline: Painting / Painter
Abstract: As part of the Artists Training and Career Project, 150 oral history interviews were conducted in the fields of acting, crafts and painting with 35 artists in each field and 15 related experts. These oral histories informed a questionnaire that was then sent to 6,000 actors, 4,000 craftspeople and 2,000 painters. They focused on the career development of these artists, from early childhood through mature careers and included artists from the unknown to the very well known, from all parts of the country, from amateur to professional, and from a great variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
Citation: Jeffri, Joan, The Painter Speaks: Artists Discuss Their Experiences and Careers. Westport, Greenwood Press: 1993.
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The Artists Training and Career Project: Actors (1991)
Discipline: Theater / Actor
Abstract: The Project is an in-depth study of training and career development patterns of actors, painters, and craftspeople. It includes a national survey, a collection of personal narratives, and a publication series.
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The Artists Training and Career Project: Craftspeople (1991)
Discipline: Crafts / Craftpeople
Abstract: The Project is an in-depth study of training and career development patterns of actors, painters, and craftspeople. It includes a national survey, a collection of personal narratives, and a publication series.
Download Executive Summary
Download Excerpt of Full Report
The Artists Training and Career Project: Painters (1991)
Discipline: Painting / Painter
Abstract: The Project is an in-depth study of training and career development patterns of actors, painters, and craftspeople. It includes a national survey, a collection of personal narratives, and a publication series.
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Download Excerpt of Full Report
The Playwright’s the Thing (1999)
Discipline: Writing / Storyteller
Abstract: A 1999 study of the current situation of playwrights in the United States.
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