The British art world is grappling with alarming challenges, as a new report reveals a 40% decline in earnings for visual artists since 2010. This drop, coupled with funding cuts, inflation, and the rise of AI, paints a bleak picture for creatives striving to sustain their careers in the UK.
The Stark Reality of Artist Earnings
Commissioned by the Design and Artists Copyright Society (DACS), the report highlights a median annual income of just £12,500 for visual artists—well below the UK’s average income of £37,000. With 80% of surveyed artists describing their earnings as “unstable” or “very unstable,” the financial viability of a career in the arts appears increasingly tenuous.
Disparities in income are even more pronounced among women, who earn 40% less than men, and disabled artists, who report a median income of just £3,750. Those juggling additional jobs, such as teaching, fare slightly better, earning an average of £17,500—still far below the national median.
A Challenging Environment
Christian Zimmermann, CEO of DACS, warns of a potential “talent drain” as UK-based artists seek better conditions abroad, particularly in EU countries. “The average earning of £12,500 per year is shocking—it’s under the minimum wage and not a viable career,” he stated.
Researchers Dr. Amy Thomas and Dr. Arthur Ehlinger, who contributed to the report at the University of Glasgow, attribute the decline to multiple factors, including reduced Arts Council England funding (down 30% since 2010) and soaring living costs.
“AI is a big factor that has started to affect entry-level and lower-paid jobs,” Zimmermann noted. However, Thomas added, “It’s like we’ve been playing a game of KerPlunk, where you keep taking out different bits of funding to see how little you can sustain a career with.”
Artists Speak Out
British-Ghanaian artist Larry Achiampong shared his frustrations with dwindling compensation. Despite a breakthrough year in 2022 with his Wayfinder solo show, he was offered just £350 to participate in a touring group exhibition—a fee he found unsustainable.
“I’ve realistically looked at making money in other areas, like gaming,” said Achiampong, reflecting on the challenges of supporting his family as an artist. “Ten years from now, I can’t go on like this. Something has to give.”
A Crossroads for the Arts
The report underscores the urgent need for systemic changes to support the UK’s creative sector. Without intervention, the combination of financial pressures and the lure of better opportunities abroad may lead to a significant loss of talent—a scenario that could reshape the country’s cultural landscape for years to come.
As Britain faces this pivotal moment, the art world must consider how to better nurture and sustain its artists, ensuring that creativity and innovation continue to flourish on home soil.