Statistical insights on the arts

Statistical insights on the arts

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Statistical insights on the arts
Statistical insights on the arts
Representation of equity-deserving groups in the arts and culture
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Representation of equity-deserving groups in the arts and culture

A by-the-numbers analysis of staffing levels in Canada

Hill Strategies (Kelly Hill)'s avatar
Hill Strategies (Kelly Hill)
Jun 25, 2024
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Statistical insights on the arts
Statistical insights on the arts
Representation of equity-deserving groups in the arts and culture
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Today’s post includes a detailed examination of several data sources regarding diversity in the arts and culture workforce in Canada.

The following elements are included:

  • A new analysis of Statistics Canada data on diversity among senior managers in not-for-profit organizations in the arts and culture.

  • Key financial indicators for different groups of artists and cultural workers, based on my recent survey findings (new graph!).

  • A recap of my analyses of census data on the diversity of artists, arts leadership occupations, and all cultural workers (including a comparison of incomes).

The analyses focus on the following equity-deserving groups, which (other than the terms) are relatively consistent between the data sources:

  • Women

  • Non-binary people

  • Indigenous Peoples

  • Racialized people

  • People with a disability


My analyses of the census and a recent survey

My recent survey of artists and other cultural workers in Canada showed that workers are facing severe affordability challenges. Financial challenges are particularly acute for workers who identify as IBPOC, D/deaf and/or disabled, and gender diverse. The situation of diverse groups of artists is shown in the following graph.

Graph showing the percentage of artists feeling financially stressed, with a comparison to all Canadians. All Canadians: 37%.  All artists: 69%.  Women artists: 70%.  LGBTQ2SIA+ artists: 72%.  Deaf and/or disabled artists: 78%.  IBPOC artists: 85%.  Gender diverse artists: 90%.  Sources: Hill Strategies survey of artists and cultural workers (2024) and National Payroll Institute (2023).

Systemic barriers are common: 78% of artists and 63% of non-artist cultural workers said that they have experienced systemic barriers during their careers.

My analysis of census data has delved into important issues of representation and equity in the arts. Some of my gender-related findings are:

  • Transgender and non-binary people gravitate to artist occupations and are also well represented among arts leaders and all cultural occupations (compared with the overall labour force).

  • Transgender artists and non-binary artists have lower incomes than cisgender women artists, who have lower incomes than cisgender men artists.

  • The same “hierarchy” of incomes is true for all cultural workers.

  • In arts leadership occupations, transgender artists and non-binary artists have lower incomes than cisgender women artists, who have similar incomes to cisgender men artists.

    Statistical insights on the arts is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

For Indigenous Peoples:

  • Representation is slightly lower among artists than in the overall workforce. Representation of Indigenous Peoples is lower among all cultural workers and arts leadership occupations than for artists and other workers.

  • Incomes are much lower for Indigenous than non-Indigenous artists and arts leaders, whether women or men.

  • For all workers in the arts, culture, and heritage, there is a substantial income gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous workers, although there is almost no difference between Indigenous women and Indigenous men.

Regarding racialized workers:

  • The representation of racialized people is lower in the arts and culture than in the overall workforce.

  • Among artists, incomes are particularly low for racialized women and men.

  • Racialized men and women have much lower incomes in arts leadership occupations than non-racialized men and women in the same types of occupations.

  • Similarly, in all cultural occupations, racialized women and men have lower incomes in arts leadership occupations than non-racialized men and women

The census does not have detailed data for D/deaf and disabled Canadians.


Diversity among senior managers in not-for-profit cultural organizations

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