Survey Says…
2019 Artist Survey Results
In October and November we conducted an on-line survey to gather information directly from artists and performers in Olympia to help inform our work in 2020. We will be using the information we received to guide our efforts to preserve, develop and advocate for affordable live, work and exhibition space for artists in Olympia.
A hundred and two (102) artists and performers participated in the survey representing a broad range of art and creative disciplines including painting/drawing, music, sculpture, photography, printmaking, crafts, dance, theatre, and digital arts. The majority of participants were over 40 years of age, female, and white/caucasian. The next largest groups were between 31 – 40 years, male, and multiracial, asian or hispanic. A small number of participants self-identified or preferred not to answer the gender or ethnicity questions. These results represent many of the artists in Olympia but clearly not all.
Here’s what we learned
More than 75% of the artists and performers surveyed said they have space for art or creative work with 60% having space in their home and 30% renting or owning space outside their home. This is a significant increase from a different kind of survey conducted in 2014. That’s the good news.
But 25% of artists and performers still do not have space for their work and more than half said they don’t have the space they need or need more space. Of those artists and performers who need more space, 60% want space downtown, need less than 500 sq. ft. and can pay less than $100 a month. Clearly there is still an unmet need for affordable space for artists to create their work in Olympia.
When we asked how much artists and performers paid for space outside of their home, 50% paid more than $500 per month and 19% paid nothing. We didn’t ask how much more than $500 per month or specifically how artists were paying nothing. These are questions we will follow up with in a future survey.
Cost was the most critical factor affecting space for artists and performers, followed by the need for space that allows for noise, mess and construction.
We received four pages of detailed suggestions from artists and performers about how OAA can work to improve the availability of affordable space. We are taking these suggestions to our retreat in January 2020 to inform our work plans for the coming year. We’ll report back after our retreat about our plans for the next year.
Thanks to the artists and performers who participated in the survey. We are grateful for your help and advice.
