Danielle J. Lindemann Post-doctoral Research Scholar, Vanderbilt University “Hot Data and Cool Trends” “3 Million Stories” Conference (March 7-9, 2013/ Nashville, TN) Surprising Findings from SNAAP What the What??

About SNAAP “SNAAP” = The Strategic National Arts Alumni Project, a joint venture between the Curb Center at Vanderbilt and the Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research. SNAAP administers annual online surveys to arts alumni in the United States and Canada.

SNAAP Funders Lead funding provided by: Surdna Foundation Additional support from: Houston Endowment Barr Foundation National Endowment for the Arts Cleveland Foundation Educational Foundation of America

The 2011 Survey These findings are based on the responses of 33,801 arts alumni from 66 institutions (8 arts high schools and 58 postsecondary institutions) in the United States.

What Makes SNAAP So Darned Special? It asks questions specifically designed for individuals trained in arts fields. It assesses their satisfaction with various facets of their training, lives, and careers. It yields qualitative as well as quantitative data.

What the What? Work, Income, and Satisfaction

Percent of All SNAAP Respondents Satisfied with Aspect of Primary Job

Work, Income, and Satisfaction Percent Earning More Than $50,000 in 2010 (By Current Primary Job, Highest to Lowest) Architect (64%) Multimedia Artist (53%) Arts Educator (50%) Film/TV/Video Artist (50%) Designer/Illustrator/Art Director (49%) Theater and Stage Director or Producer (39%) Arts Administrator or Manager (36%) Musician (33%) Writer, Author, or Editor (31%) Museum or Gallery Worker (28%) Actor (26%) Fine Artist (22%) Dancer or Choreographer (9%) Percent Indicating Satisfaction with Primary Job (By Current Primary Job, Highest to Lowest) Dancer or Choreographer (97%) Fine Artist (94%) Musician (93%) Arts Educator (92%) Museum or Gallery Worker (91%) Theater and Stage Director or Producer (90%) Writer, Author, or Editor (90%) Arts Administrator or Manager (89%) Designer/Illustrator/Art Director (89%) Architect (88%) Film/TV/Video Artist (88%) Multimedia Artist (88%) Actor (87%) “And even though we ain't got money, / I'm so in love with you, honey…”

Why did you [STOP WORKING IN AN OCCUPATION AS AN ARTIST/NOT PURSUE WORK AS AN ARTIST]? Check all that apply. Higher pay or steadier income in other fields (46%) Work as an artist not available (37%) Debt (including student loans) (24%) Change in interests (21%) Lack of access to important networks and people (20%) City/location not conducive to artistic career (19%) Family-related issues (16%) Lack of financial support from family and friends (9%) Lack of social support from family and friends (5%) Health reasons (3%)

Percent Satisfied with Income in Current Primary Job

When asked “If you could start over again, would you attend [INSTITUTION]?” 77% of SNAAP respondents said “probably yes” or “definitely yes” (versus “uncertain,” “probably no,” or “definitely no”). Only 2% said “definitely no.” Among SNAAP respondents who were currently unemployed and looking for work, 65% still said “probably yes” or “definitely yes.”

Danielle J. Lindemann Post-doctoral Research Scholar, Vanderbilt University “Hot Data and Cool Trends” “3 Million Stories” Conference (March 7-9, 2013/ Nashville, TN)

A Teaching Moment… Overall Satisfaction in Primary Job, Arts Educators Compared to Other Artistic Workers…

A Teaching Moment… Satisfaction in Primary Job, Arts Educators vs. All Arts Alumni

Gendered Inequalities and the Arts Females are significantly more likely than males to volunteer at arts organizations. Women are significantly less likely to serve on arts boards. 79% of male respondents indicate that they currently or have in the past worked as professional artists, while only 68% of female respondents report the same.

A Head Scratcher: Gender, Income, and Family Factors in the Arts For females, we would expect to find a “wage penalty” for marriage/childbirth, whereas for males we would expect to see a “wage gain.” For SNAAPpers, marital status does not have a significant relationship with income for men or women. Also, number of children has no significant relationship to women’s earnings. However, we do see evidence of the male wage gain to children.