HomeMy WebLinkAbout07.17.19 BAC HandoutsCensus of Boulder Artists
City of Boulder Office of Arts + Culture
Summary of Findings for Boulder Arts Commission
July 17, 2019
Today’s Presentation
•Recap of Findings from September 9, 2018 Presentation to
Commission
•Study Goals and Findings
•Who participated and How we used the tools
•4 Conclusions
•What’s Next, Questions and Thoughts
Study Goals and Findings
The Artist Census is designed to
•clarify and expand our understanding of the lives of Boulder artists
•to confirm anecdotes that have been heard in the community
•to give direction to community leaders and organizations who are working to improve the lives of artists, particularly regarding the recommendations in the City of Boulder’s Community Cultural Plan
Tools we used:
•Our Census Survey Results & Focus Groups
•NEA’s Creativity Connects
•WESTAF’s Creative Vitality Suite
•AFTA’S Arts and Economic Prosperity 5
Who participated and how we broke
down the findings
•Definition of artist
•The report breaks everything down into 3 categories
Conclusion -One:
Boulder is an inspiring home for artists, but is it an “arts city?”
•Despite the high number of artists living here, Boulder is not perceived as having a thriving,
vibrant or highly visible arts scene.
•Most feel they must sell, perform, or market their art outside of Boulder. They feel that people
here are reluctant to buy art or attend performances by local artists, but will readily do so when
traveling.
Only In Boulder,
33.99%
In Colo., but outside
Boulder, 16.08%Outside Colorado,
3.64%
A Balance,
46.29%
WHERE DO OUR ARTISTS PERFORM
OR SELL THEIR ART?
Conclusion -Two :
Earnings from arts professions is low.
80% of artists have a second job outside of the arts industries.
Across the US, 66% of artists hold a second job while 21% hold two additional jobs. This pattern has
not shifted substantially in the past decade.
Arts Practice…
Teaching
20%
Grants,
Fellowships
, Etc.…
Non-Arts Job
57%
MIX OF INCOME SOURCES
Conclusion -Three:
Low incomes plus high housing costs and a modest local marketplace
results in “The Squeeze.”
•The cost of studio space measured by the average industrial property asking rent has increased by
44% in between 2013 and 2017 (sf/yr). (Loopnet Market Trends/Boulder, CO from June 2017)
•Once artists have figured out a place to live, the most important “practical felt need” is the
scarcity and affordability of spaces to create, perform and show their work.
Conclusion -Four :
Boulder has the ingredients to be a great home for artists and their
small business enterprises. But we are not there yet.
Boulder has many events and festivals, theaters and galleries, a great tourism market, a variety of
grants, an affluent community, new fellowships and awards, a large number of artists, and many
other assets. However, artists are not feeling the benefits of all this activity.
Artists number one “emotional felt need” is for a greater connection to other arts professionals.
They want to feel connected to a community that is valued and vibrant, to be inspired and to
inspire, to connect and to collaborate.
What’s Next, Thoughts, Discussion
•Evaluate programs and launch new ones using the findings of the Census to refine work plans for
the best outcomes in the community.
•Advice from QRC:
Explore creative ways to support artists with their space and live/work needs
Challenge the business community to engage and support the arts. Help create bridges to foster
greater connections within the Boulder arts community and the general public, working to bolster
the scene and help artists thrive
Questions?
Special thanks to the survey respondents, focus group
participants and especially to Vicki Johns and Arnie Jacobson
of QRC.