National Survey of Artists reveals full extent of America's creative workforce

This recently released, 102-page report summarizes top-line findings based on data collected in the National Survey of Artists, 2024, which was created by NORC at the University of Chicago, and fielded in late 2024. NADAC began distributing the survey data last month. NORC engaged artists, sector experts, and researchers to inform this new survey to reach an expansive, nationally representative sample of artists. In an attempt to capture a more complete and accurate representation of the artistic workforce, the survey defined the US population of artists and “culture bearers” as those who have a dedicated professionalized practice, irrespective of how they earned their living. Potential participants were screened to ensure they met criteria related to their creative practices, engagement level, audience, external recognition, and time commitment. The NORC researchers found that 18 percent of US adults qualify as artists or culture bearers. This workforce’s creative practices, work arrangements, finances, demographic characteristics, and health and wellbeing are revealed through the descriptive statistics provided in the report.

December 11, 2025