Visual artist earnings down 40% on 2010

The median income for visual artists is just £12,500 a year, a 40% decrease in earnings since 2010, when it stood at £16,000, a study has found.

A report by the University of Glasgow, commissioned by the Design & Artists Copyright Society (DACS), found that while 48% of respondents described their visual arts practice as their only occupation because of low pay, 51% of visual artists continue to have to supplement their income with additional work.

However, even those taking on additional work still only earn a median of £17,500 a year, significantly below the national minimum wage.

The report also highlights concerns among visual artists interviewed over the unauthorised use of their work to train AI systems, which could undermine IP rights and contribute to a reduction in commissions, further impacting future earning potential.

Christian Zimmermann, CEO of DACS, said despite being essential to the UK’s visual arts sector, visual artists are among the lowest-earning workers in the creative industries.

“Over 80% of all visual artists surveyed said that their sources of earnings are unstable, or very unstable,” he said.

“The widespread low pay and precarity artists face today pushes talent out of the sector and limits the creativity of our artists.

“This report shows us in no uncertain terms that visual artists need greater support and protections to navigate the challenges of a changing world, whether that’s generative AI scraping their work, income instability, or the rising costs of studio rents.”