Performing artists’ income conditions and careers in Denmark

The purpose of this paper is to study careers and income conditions of performing artists in Denmark on the basis of national statistics. The paper uses three different criteria for defining performing artist, and looks at the implications observed on careers and income conditions. The three different criteria for defining performing artists are: 1) Having a job as performing artist, 2) Graduation from a performing art school, and 3) Membership of professional performing artist’s association. The paper has focus on three questions: How are the income conditions of performing artists in the period 1996 – 2007? How are the career length and patterns of the performing artists in Denmark? How is the careers related to the income conditions of the artists? The results concerning the living conditions for performing artists shows in general very low income levels for most of the artists, and only about 1/3 of them are working within the theatre sector. A regression model for 2007 shows a positive effect on earning of age, being a man, working in Copenhagen capital area, having work experience, having a basic actor education, and work as a dancer/choreograph or as an actor/director. The analysis of career length shows that most performing actors have very short careers of one or two years. Cross-tabulations for 2007 shows that those with short careers in general have very low income, while those with longer careers have substantial higher income, and most of them have an income high enough to make a living