The visual arts sector is stable and finely tuned, but at the same time it is vulnerable and still not very well off. That is the conclusion of the agencies HTH Research (artists) and Berenschot (organizations) in the report “Collective Selfie #5. Figures and trends in the visual arts.’ They also conclude, together with the client Beeldende Kunst Nederland, that more research is needed for a solid knowledge base.
Image, data and fair pay
The research report was presented to Jan Jaap Knol, director-director of the Boekman Foundation, on March 28 during Art Rotterdam. This national knowledge center provides, among other things, the Culture Monitor and stimulates research by universities and others. In his opinion, the visual arts provide the “image” desired in society. But good “data,” as systematically recorded in the five successive Collective Selfies, are also increasingly necessary for policy and activities. Furthermore, given the apparent limited incomes of visual artists everywhere, fair pay should be a concern.
Visual artists
There were around 15,000-16,000 visual artists from 2015 to 2023, slightly more women than men. Sixty percent live in the western or central part of the country. Almost everyone has a personal gross income of up to €30,000 per year. One in three lives in a household with that same income. The figures are related in part to the “Monitor Artists and Other Workers in Creative Occupations, 2025 Edition. d.d. March 31, produced by CBS at the request of the Ministry of OCW. This shows, among other things, that artists are less likely than other working people to be satisfied with their income. For a small portion of visual artists, there are various types of grants with the Mondrian Fund. Municipalities can support through maker funds, studios, incubators c.s.
Institutions, postgraduate and for contemporary visual arts
Four post-academic institutions are subsidized by the state, where a selected group of artists can further develop artistic practice. The total turnover of 91 contemporary visual arts institutions in 2022 was €65 million. It employed nearly 700 FTEs, more than 150 of whom were interns or volunteers. There are currently 97 organizations affiliated with The Case Now. Six are subsidized as presentation institutions by OCW and 44 as art venues by the Mondrian Fund, together with nearly €15 million a year. A shared responsibility applies to the 36 municipalities with a decentralization allowance for visual arts.
Galleries, art fairs and festivals
The last survey by the Dutch Gallery Association (NGA) was in 2021; it will be repeated soon. The 445 galleries in 2020 had total sales of €92 million and represented over 7,800 Dutch and foreign artists. There are currently 451 galleries, nine of which are purely online. Ninety of them are affiliated with the NGA. There is a strong trend toward online sales and sales as a whole are rising. The Mondrian Fund’s Art Purchase Scheme, temporarily inactive, is proving to be a good incentive. Other direct government subsidies are lacking. There is no current survey data on the +15 art fairs and the approximately 100 visual arts festivals existing earlier in 2019.
Fine art museums
The Museum Association keeps the data current through the Museum Figures. One, together with the Mondrian Fund, counted 61 fine art museums in our country. There were a total of 6 million visits in 2023. Total sales are about €360 million. A census among 50 fine art museums showed 3,200 people employed, more than 2,000 FTEs. All governments give grants, but do not have policies specific to fine art museums.
The Mondriaan Fund and Platform ACCT contributed financially to the research “Collective Selfie #5.
Continue reading
Download the research report ‘Collective Selfie #5. Figures and trends in the visual arts.” presented March 28, 2025 hHERE.
Check out CBS’ “Monitor Artists and Other Workers in Creative Occupations, 2025 Edition.” released March 31, 2025.
