The United Kingdom's art industry, a pulsating hub of creativity and culture, is currently grappling with an alarming crisis, as highlighted by a new survey conducted by Acme, a London-based charity and the largest provider of affordable artist studios in the UK. The harsh reality unveiled by this survey is that one in three UK artists doubt their ability to continue their professional work in the art industry in the next five years.
This unsettling revelation, part of The Acme Artist Tenant Survey, stems from the escalating cost of living crisis and the increasing pressure on the cultural sector in the UK. It paints a stark picture of the precariousness of artists' livelihoods, with the founder of Acme, David Panton, underscoring that being a practising artist in the UK equates to "living daily with problems of survival."
Of the artists surveyed, a striking 40% reported being unable to afford to contribute to a pension scheme or save any money. The financial strain is further evidenced by the fact that their professional practice accounted for merely 33% of their overall income. A staggering 88% of artists have to rely on supplementary income sources, with only 12% claiming their practice as their sole means of income.
Panton notes the constant pressure artists face to find solutions and, increasingly, justifications for their way of life, which often runs counter to societal norms. This continuous struggle points to an industry in desperate need of systemic change and increased support.
Acme, a charity with a rich history of providing studio space for artists like Grayson Perry and Hew Locke, conducted this survey between November 2021 and April 2022, engaging with 226 of their 850 artist tenants. The full Artist Tenant Survey report is slated to be released on 13 July, promising further insights into the plight of UK artists and the challenges they face amidst an increasingly harsh economic landscape.
The findings of this survey serve as a sobering reminder of the importance of protecting and nurturing the arts and those who dedicate their lives to it. Artists play an invaluable role in enriching society and culture and must receive the necessary support to continue doing so.
