Creative Workers Count

In its 2005 study of New York's independent creative workers - among them artists, composers, illustrators, photographers and writers - Freelancers Union found that despite their high levels of education and civic participation, creative workers are struggling with financial instability generated by an outdated social safety net, erratic employment, and low incomes.

Though New York dedicates more funding to the arts than any other city in the country, little attention is paid to the needs of individual artists. To protect the preeminence of its creative sector, New York must begin to view arts and culture from a labor perspective.

"Creative Workers Count" examines the challenges New York's creative workers face and makes policy recommendations calling for a new social safety net that would allow creative workers to achieve stability here.

Download the Report
(and print the .pdf file for yourself)

Key Findings Include:

• Creative workers contribute significantly to the city's economy. McKinsey and Co. estimates that arts organizations generated $14.5 billion for the city in 2000, and the Center for an Urban Future traced over 150,000 jobs to the creative economy in 2001.

• Creative workers fall out of the social safety net. Over a third (39%) experienced a significant gap in health insurance coverage in the last year and nearly two-thirds (58%) save nothing for retirement each month.

• Creative workers face economic instability. Over 40% made less than $35,000 last year, and half (51%) have little or no personal savings.

• Creative workers are highly educated and politically engaged. 85% have at least a college degree and 92% are registered to vote.