Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council Releases 2024 Artist Community Survey Report
The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council has released its 2024 Artist Community Survey Report, offering a comprehensive look at the challenges, accomplishments, and aspirations of artists living and working in the region. This biennial survey continues the Arts Council’s commitment to measuring and supporting the health of Greater Pittsburgh’s arts and culture sector.
The 2024 report highlights input from 337 respondents, representing a range of artistic disciplines, 90% of whom reside in Allegheny County. Conducted through a 39-question survey over five weeks, the report captures a wealth of data, including insights into artists’ quality of life, career accomplishments and barriers, equity and access, and funding resources.
“This report captures the voices of hundreds of local artists, revealing persistent barriers—from affordable housing and income stability to equitable access to professional development—that challenge our artists’ ability to thrive,” says Patrick Fisher, CEO of the Arts Council.
Key findings from the report underscore the urgency of supporting local artists:
Income Challenges: Nearly one-quarter of artists reported earning less than $15,000 annually from all sources, indicating a poverty rate more than double that of the average population.
Equity and Inclusion: The survey explores disparities in access to resources across race and gender, providing a nuanced view of systemic challenges in the arts.
Morgan Kasprowicz, the Arts Council’s Director of Research and Cultural Policy, emphasizes the importance of the findings.
“As our region continues to tackle issues of equitable development, affordable housing, and more, we hope this data will support the conversation around how artists can and must be included in those conversations.”
The Artist Community Survey is a cornerstone of the Arts Council’s advocacy efforts, shaping policy priorities and equipping decision-makers with actionable insights to enact meaningful change. The Survey Report, along with a full-length technical report, including detailed breakdowns of survey responses, can be viewed at pittsburghartscouncil.org/research.
The Arts Council will publish a complementary report on the health of arts and culture organizations in 2025, in partnership with PA Humanities and the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance.
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