Visual artists in the UK are earning less than half the national median income and even fall significantly below the annual pay of minimum-wage workers, according to shocking new research. With a median annual income of just £12,500, visual artists are struggling to survive in a profession that contributes billions to the UK’s economy. For context, the national median income stands at £33,000, while even full-time minimum-wage workers earn £23,795—almost double what the average artist makes. This stark disparity exposes a sector in crisis, one where gender, disability, and systemic inequalities further erode the financial stability of those who bring creativity to our lives.

A new study from the University of Glasgow, commissioned by the Design and Artists Copyright Society (DACS), reveals the devastating reality behind these figures. The UK Visual Artists’ Earnings and Contracts Report 2024 found that artist incomes have fallen by 40% since 2010, with little sign of recovery. Over 1,200 visual artists across the UK—photographers, painters, illustrators, and sculptors—paint a collective picture of financial instability and inequity that has reached a breaking point.

At the heart of the crisis is the shocking inequality that divides artists by gender and ability. Women visual artists earn 40% less than their male counterparts, while disabled artists, already navigating significant systemic barriers, report a median income of just £3,750. For these groups, pursuing art isn’t just a challenge—it’s a financial impossibility. The report’s findings suggest that these disparities are not incidental but part of a broader, entrenched inequality that threatens the diversity of voices within the creative sector.

For many, visual arts are more than a career—it’s a full-time commitment. Yet, the majority of artists must supplement their incomes with additional work. Despite working multiple jobs, the combined median income for these individuals still reaches only £17,500, leaving them far below the national minimum wage. Over 80% of respondents describe their earnings as unstable or very unstable, making long-term financial planning impossible.

Adding to this instability is the growing threat posed by artificial intelligence. Many artists expressed concern over the unauthorised use of their work to train AI systems, a practice that strips them of intellectual property rights and reduces their earning potential. The report warns that without regulation, AI will exacerbate the precarious conditions already faced by UK artists.

The challenges are immense, but so is the urgency for action. Dr. Amy Thomas, one of the lead researchers, warns that the issues are interconnected. “AI is part of the problem, but the real story lies in the systemic inequalities—huge gender pay gaps, the marginalisation of disabled artists, and the fallout from Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic. These forces are making it nearly impossible for many to sustain their careers.”

For artists like Mercedes Leon, a Leeds-based illustrator, these statistics reflect a grim reality. “You’re constantly negotiating for fair pay, but it feels like you’re fighting a losing battle. Studio rents and materials keep getting more expensive, and you’re often forced to accept low fees just to get work. When I moved to the UK, I believed it was the best place to work as an artist. I’m no longer sure.”

Amid this crisis, there are efforts to find solutions. The Visual Arts Manifesto, backed by DACS and more than 25 arts organisations, calls for urgent reforms to support artists. The manifesto’s proposals include collective licensing initiatives to generate revenue, fair pay standards, and stronger protections for artists in the face of AI exploitation. Specific measures, such as appointing a Freelancer Commissioner and providing targeted financial support for disabled artists, could offer much-needed relief.

However, without immediate action, the future looks bleak. Artists are the foundation of the UK’s £126 billion creative industries, which engage 91% of the population annually and contribute £49 billion from the arts sector alone. Yet the very people who create the work that powers this sector are being forced out by unsustainable conditions. As Professor Martin Kretschmer of the University of Glasgow puts it, “If artists are the foundation of the creative economy, what happens when that foundation crumbles? Without significant change, we risk losing not just livelihoods but the culture and creativity that define us as a society.”

The UK faces a choice: to invest in its artists or allow a cultural and economic cornerstone to collapse. The clock is ticking, and the stakes have never been higher.

ART Walkway News