f r o m t h e e d i t o r
Representation Matters
Why is it important to have a female-centric art magazine ? I am often asked this question ( although less eloquently and filled with an unfortunate sprinkling of less nuanced disdain for anything women-only ).
Women in Art 278 is in its fifth year of production . Starting with a dream in 2013 , we have been a positive addition to the art world , to the artists we showcase , and to the clients we help connect to artists . We actively try to “ be the change we wish to see in the world .”
So , for those who may be unaware about the discrepancy between female and male artists , here are some statistics that will break your heart and fuel your desire for change ...
51 % of visual artists today are women ; on average , they earn 81 ¢ for every dollar made by male artists .
Work by women artists makes up only 3 – 5 % of major permanent collections in the U . S . and Europe , and 34 % in Australian state museums .
Of 590 major exhibitions by nearly 70 institutions in the U . S . from 2007 – 2013 , only 27 % were devoted to women artists .
ArtReview ’ s 2016 Power 100 list of the “ most influential people in the contemporary art world ” was 32 % women , 70 % white , and 51 % European .
“ The men liked to put me down as the best woman painter . I think I ’ m one of the best painters .”— Georgia O ’ Keeffe
Women lag behind men in directorships held at museums with budgets over $ 15 million , holding 30 % of art museum director positions and earning 75 ¢ for every dollar earned by male directors .
The top three museums in the world , the British Museum ( est . 1753 ), the Louvre ( est . 1793 ), and The Metropolitan Museum of Art ( est . 1870 ) have never had female directors . ( Did you see our Facebook post about the FIRST female director of the Vatican
Museums who was just appointed ?! Congrats to Barbara Jatta !)
Only five women made the list of the top 100 artists by cumulative auction value between 2011-2016 .
In the list of top 100 individual works sold between 2011-2016 , only two artists were women . Of those 100 artworks , 75 of them came from just 5 male artists .
Venice Biennale : The 2009 edition featured 43 % women ; in 2013 , it dropped to 26 %. In 2015 , it was 33 %, and in 2017 was 35 %. No major international exhibition of contemporary art has achieved gender parity .
The good news is that , while in 2005 , women ran 32 % of the museums in the United States , they now run 47.6 %— albeit mainly the ones with the smallest budgets .
Less than 4 % of the artists in the Modern Art section of New York ’ s Metropolitan Museum of Art are women , but 76 % of the nudes are female .
Although some of the statistics are a bit out of date , the underlying message is that there is room for improvement . At my local art museum on Florida ’ s Treasure Coast , I cannot help but look at the names of the artists represented . Most are male , far too few are female . And , once you notice that women are blissfully forgotten or neglected to be valued ( given physical space like male artists ) you never stop noticing . So go to your museums . Go to your art galleries . If you don ’ t see enough women represented , ask why ? And , ask for change . Be a part of the change ! As always , keep creating . Keep inspiring those around you .
LMarelli
Liesl Marelli Editor-in-Chief
Note : Statistics / Facts provided by National Museum of Women in the Arts
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