Study finds Mass. draws artists

By Geoff Edgers

A new study to be released today by the National Endowment for the Arts finds that Massachusetts is the state with the third highest percentage of artists per 10,000 people, trailing only New York and California.

What's more, the state ranks first in the number of architects and designers per 10,000 people.

The study, "Artists in the Workforce: 1990-2005," touted as the first of its kind and compiled using US Census figures, is meant to show the largely unrecognized role that artists play in the economy. Arts advocates say that the report could also be used as a tool to argue for increased support for artists.

The 140-page study states that Massachusetts had 54,852 artists in 2003-05, well below the totals in many states, including California (352,424), New York (212,025), and Texas (120,916). But Massachusetts jumps to No. 3 when calculating the ratio of artists in the entire state population. Nationally, almost 2 million people call themselves artists.

"The big message for us is that we were struck by the size of this group," said Sunil Iyengar, the NEA's director of research and analysis, by phone yesterday. "Two million is just under the total US military. It's more than when you look at doctors, lawyers, and judges. In sheer size, it's a great number. This is something I don't think the general public is aware of."

According to the study, Boston ranks fifth among US metropolitan areas by sheer number of artists, with 38,885, or 2 percent of the country's share.

"Both education and employers are here," said Nancy Jenner, deputy director of the Boston Society of Architects. "You have all these incredibly strong design schools plus a lot of really strong design firms doing work internationally and nationally."

Between 1990 and 2000, the state saw a 7.3 percent increase in the number of artists. Percentage-wise, growth in Massachusetts occurred most among designers (25 percent), writers/authors (23 percent), entertainers (22 percent), and architects (21 percent).

The greatest statewide declines came among actors (down by 45 percent); fine artists, art directors, and animators (30 percent); announcers (23 percent); and photographers (20 percent).

Data also showed that just over 49 percent of Massachusetts artists are women, a bit more than the 46 percent throughout the rest of the country. Just 6.8 percent of Massachusetts artists identify themselves as being among a racial or ethnic minority, well below the 20 percent nationally.

While the study shows that there are more artists nationally than in the past, it also details the financial challenges of becoming a painter, actor, or dancer, for example. Artists across the country had a median income of $34,800 in 2003-05. That's nearly $9,000 less a year than other professionals. Of that group, dancers earned the least, with a median income of $20,000.

"We think they should be earning more," said Anita Walker, executive director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council. "We are on a road to recognizing the fact that they are part of the economy, and the mere discussion of something called the creative economy, the recognition that it exists, is starting to elevate our artists into the economic discussion."

Just this month, the administration of Governor Deval Patrick appointed Jason S. Schupbach as the country's first "creative economy" director, with the mission of helping everyone from visual artists to videogame makers.

"This kind of study is useful for planning and advocacy," said Ann McQueen, a Boston Foundation senior program officer who focuses on arts and culture. "The Schupbach position is a direct response to the idea that the cultural sector is an economic driver. And on a federal level, the study can drive policy."

Geoff Edgers can be reached at gedgers@globe.com.

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