2019 Artist Survey
For the last few years The Olympia Artspace Alliance conducted a survey of existing studio space in Downtown Olympia to compare what is available with what is needed by local artists.
2019 Artist Survey Results
How we conducted the survey.
We posted the survey on our website and facebook pages, sent emails to more than 300 people on our mailing list and asked everyone to forward the survey to artists who might not be on our lists. The survey was open for five weeks in October and November and was extended several times to reach as many artists as possible.
Who participated in the survey.
A hundred and two (102) people participated in the survey representing almost every art discipline including painting/drawing, music, sculpture, photography, printmaking, crafts, dance, theatre, and digital arts. The majority of artists (59%) live in either eastside or westside Olympia, 29% live in Lacey, Tumwater and the county, 6% in downtown and 6% outside of the county.
There is a significant increase in the age of participants from 2014 to 2019. The majority (63%) are between 41 – 70 years of age, female (66%) and white/caucasian (77%). Another 18% are between 31 – 40 years, 9% over 71 and 6 % under 30. In 2014 more than 16% were under 30 years. Finally, 27% identified as male, 10% as multiracial, asian or hispanic. Only 2% self identified with regard to gender or ethnicity. With the exception of an older group, these percentages are consistent with 2014 participation. And 5% preferred not to answer the gender question and 10% preferred not to answer the ethnicity question. Neither of these options were asked in 2014.
Who has space or needs a space for art or creative work / rent or own.
There is a significant increase from 2014 in the percentage of people saying they have workspace used only for art or creative work. In 2014 55% said yes, 45% said no / compared to 75% yes and 25% no in 2019. The percentage of people who have space in their home (61%) is the same as in 2014 but 30% now rent or own space outside their home compared to 9.6% in 2014. Only 9% said they don’t have the space needed compared to 21% in 2014.
Where is the space located for people who have space and who need space for art or creative work.For the 67 people who have space in their homes, 59% are in either the eastside or westside of Olympia, 29% in other cities in the county, 6% downtown, 10% in other locations.
Of the 36 people who rent or own space outside of their homes, 54% are in downtown Olympia, 26% on the east or west side, 12% in other locations and the remainder in the other cities in the county.
Of the 53 people who don’t have space or need more space, 59% want space downtown, 34% on the east or west side and the remaining 7% in cities within the county.What kind of space do people have or need.For the 67 people who have space in their homes, 39% have general purpose or other space, 27% have office space for digital or graphic arts, paint rooms, woodworking shops and outdoor work areas, 13% for recording, rehearsal, sound proof practice and the remainder are divided between printmaking, classrooms, gallery/exhibit and storage.
For the 36 people who rent or own outside of their home, 34% have general purpose or classroom space, another 19% gallery/exhibit / retail space. The remainder are more or less equally split with all other uses.
For the 53 people who do not have space or need more space, 40% need general purpose, gallery/exhibit or paint room space, 23% need rehearsal and sound proof practice rooms, the remaining 37% are more or less equally divided for other uses.
How much space do people have or need.
For the 67 people who have space in their homes, 45% have less than 200 sq. ft., 40% have between 200 and 500 sq. ft., 6% have between 1,001 and 1,500 sq ft. and the remaining 9% have space between 500 and 1,000 sq. ft.
For 36 people who rent or own space outside of their homes, 23% have more than 1,500 sq ft,
40% less than 200 to 500 sq ft, 25% between 501 to 1,000 sq ft. and 11% between 1,100 – 1,500 sq ft.
For the 53 people who need more space, 61% need less than 500 sq. ft., 12% between 501 and 1,000 sq ft., 8% between 1,100 and more than 1,500 sq ft, and 10% did not know how much space they need.
What does space outside the home cost and what can people afford to pay.
For the 36 people who currently have space outside of their home, 50% pay more than $500 per month, 19% pay nothing, 19% pay $101 - $400, 8% pay between $401 - $500, 4% pay less than $100 per month.
For the 53 people who need space, 69% said they can afford to pay less than $100 per month, 13% between $201- 500, 10% less than $200, and 8% more than $500.
What kind of investments have artists made to improve space.
Of the 38 people who answered and who have space in their homes, 29% said they had made no changes, 29% said they spent between $5,000 and $10,000, 23% said they spent less than $500, 19% said they spent between $20,000 and $100,000.
Of the 21 people who answered and who have space outside their homes, 43% said they spent between $1,000 and $10,000, 29% said they spent between $50,000 and $90,000, 24% said they made no upgrades, and only .05% said they spent less than $500.
What are the most critical factors affecting space for artists and performers.
Of the 96 people who answered this question, 49% said cost was most critical, 27% said availability of space that allows for noise, construction, mess making, 17% said availability of space of any kind and remainder listed affordable housing nearby, equipment, natural light and ventilation, well- equipped space to accommodate audiences and productions, parking ease, plumbing and ADA access.
What should OAA do with the survey results.
We received four full pages of detailed suggestions. We will be taking these to our retreat in January 2020 and using them to plan our work for the next year. After the retreat we will share the results with you.
Finally, thank you to everyone who participated in this survey. Your information and advice will be used to guide our work.