The Artist Prosperity Project
The Kingston Arts Council (KAC) created The Artist Prosperity Project (APP) as a research initiative aimed at better understanding the economic realities, demographics, and creative practices of artists in Katarokwi/Kingston and the surrounding region. This report also provided insight into some of the systemic barriers and challenges that artists encountered during 2024.
The Survey
The survey explored three major disciplines: Visual Arts, Music, and Performing Arts.
The Artist Prosperity Survey, launched in June 2025, set out to collect the data from local Visual Artists, Musicians, and Performing Artists to better understand how they live, work, and sustain their practices. Drawing from the survey data, the report offers a snapshot of the local arts economy, identifying key challenges and opportunities that affect these artists across disciplines.
The project had three primary outcomes:
- To collect data about the financial realities of artists in the Kingston region
- To report on the market landscape, working conditions, and creative processes of artists in the region.
- To provide a reference document for arts organizations as they adjust their programming focuses.
The Artist Prosperity Survey was distributed both virtually and in person over a six-week period between June and August 2025. The survey consisted of 140 total questions that were a combination of multiple choice and open response options. All participants were asked 52 general questions that included demographic, financial, and market-related prompts. Once the general section had been completed, respondents were given the option to answer additional questions about their artistic practice. Those that did were asked to disclose whether they participated in visual art, music, or performing arts.
One limitation the KAC recognizes of the APP was that the survey only accounted for three artistic disciplines. Future iterations of the survey will include assessment of other fields such as literary arts, arts administration, and film.
The Report
The report outlines trends in artist income, access to funding, barriers to career development, and the availability of affordable space, equipment, and opportunities in the area. Findings reveal that, of those surveyed, the majority of artists earned less than $40,000 annually from all sources, with over 80% earning under $40,000 annually from their artistic or cultural practice alone. As a result, many artists worked secondary jobs or in other positions outside of the arts and culture industry to supplement their creative income.
Key findings from the report include:
- Over 65% of artists identified financial instability as a primary challenge.
- 72% of participants agreed that Katarokwi/Kingston was a good place to live and work as an artist.
- Only 24% of artists reported having applied to and received grant funding.
- Respondents were highly educated, as 76% received a post-secondary degree, diploma, or certificate.
- Artists cited the need for better access to media coverage, funding, rehearsal & creation spaces, education & workshops, and performance & exhibition opportunities as the main way to support their work.
The report also underscores the many benefits of creating in Katarokwi/Kingston: strong community support, access to local arts organizations or events, and opportunities for collaboration were all highlighted as strengths by artists.
Although not every concern can be resolved quickly, this data provides artists and arts organizations with evidence to strengthen their advocacy efforts. The Artist Prosperity Project is one step towards building and strengthening the artistic economy in Katarokwi/Kingston and the surrounding region.
The raw data from the Artist Prosperity Survey is currently being anonymized and will be published once finished. If you have any questions or would like to request the raw data, please contact PCC@ArtsKingston.ca
Privacy Statement for the Artist Prosperity Project Survey
The KAC prioritizes privacy and is committed to protecting data. The Artist Prosperity Project survey, hosted on WorkForm by Monday.com, was designed to maintain anonymity and safeguard personal information.
- Data Collection and Usage:
- The survey does not intentionally collect identifying information. Any identifying details shared unintentionally will be treated as confidential and excluded from reports or analysis.
- The data will be used solely for this project to assess the Kingston arts sector and provide aggregate, anonymized insights to benefit local artists.
- Data Hosting and Security:
- Survey responses are stored securely on servers managed by Monday.com, located in Amazon Web Services (AWS) data centers in the United States and Germany.
- Monday.com adheres to GDPR and other global privacy standards to ensure your data is protected at every stage.
- Anonymity and Confidentiality:
- Your responses are anonymous unless you unintentionally include identifying details. Any such information will be removed or kept confidential.
- No personal data will be shared with third parties or published in any form.
- Data Rights and Support:
- You have the right to request removal of your responses or inquire about data handling. For any questions or concerns, please contact us at PCC@ArtsKingston.ca.
For further details on WorkForm and Monday.com’s privacy practices, please refer to their Privacy Policy and GDPRCompliance Information