2009 Survey of Australian Practising Professional Artists - Data

The data was generated by an investigation into the economic circumstances of Australian Artists and their work patterns, through surveying a sample of artists.  It was conducted in 2009 by Prof David Throsby and Anita Zednik, funded by the Australia Council.  Results are reported in a publication titled “Do you really expect to get paid? An economic study of professional artists in Australia” available online at http://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/resources/reports_and_publications/subjects/artists/artist_careers/do_you_really_expect_to_get_paid
This was the fifth in a series of studies commissioned by the Australia Council for the Arts conducted by Throsby: previous related surveys were conducted in 1983, 1987, 1993 and 2002.  This survey updates and expands the information collected in the earlier studies.
The study profiles the careers of practicing professional artists across all major art forms (except film).  It is based on telephone interviews with 1,030 practicing professional artists conducted in October through December 2009.  An initial list of 30,000 names was generated by contacting the relevant Arts organisation.  A random sample was selected and potential respondents screened for suitability.  A survey company then conducted phone interviews with suitable respondents.
Artistic Occupations were grouped into 8 main categories for tracking and analysis:

writers
visual artists
craft practitioners
actors and directors
dancers and choreographers
musicians and singers
composers, songwriters and arrangers
community cultural development workers

The Australia Council report "Do You Really Expect to Get Paid" includes analysis of:

The artist population
Training and education
Career progression
Artistic achievements
Patterns of working time
Income and expenditure
Employment and social security
Professional practice issues
Usage of new technologies
Longer term trends.

It includes longitudinal analysis referencing the earlier surveys.