Women In Art

Blog Posts
5 min read

SOFemArt Top 25 Influential Women in The Arts, Creative Industries, & Tech

The State of Fem Art lists our inaugural Top 25 Most Influential Women in the Arts, Creative Industries, & Tech

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5 min read

SheROCKS w/ C.R.O.C. Presents "Creative Oasis": A Mindful Art Residency in Glassboro, NJ

The State of Fem Art, in collaboration with The Better Giveback Foundation Inc., proudly announces its transformative artist residency.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Glassboro, NJ - January 8, 2024—The State of Fem Art, in collaboration with The Better Giveback Foundation Inc., proudly announces the second edition of its transformative artist residency SheROCKS with C.R.O.C. program, "Creative Oasis." Centered around the theme of mindful creativity, the residency will take place from March 20-23, 2024, in the heart of Glassboro, NJ, a vibrant college town steeped in the history of the glassmaking industry.

Building on the success of the inaugural program in March 2023, "Creative Oasis" is a 3-day immersive experience tailored for collegiate-age women artists. The residency, a collaboration between The Better Giveback Foundation, Inc.'s Creatives on Campus work-study program and The State of Fem Art's SheROCKS event program, aims to provide a unique blend of artistic expression, creative exploration, personal growth, business development, and community building.

In a joint statement, program founders Brittanie Thomas and Timea Faulkner said, "This program is an investment into the future of the arts. The ripple effect of mindful creativity extends beyond the residency, influencing the participants' artistic practices and, in turn, the broader creative community. We strive to foster a culture of mindful creativity that empowers collegiate-age women artists to unleash their full artistic potential."

"Creative Oasis" is designed to inspire and celebrate the fusion of mindfulness and creativity. Participants will embark on a journey of exploration, delving into the depths of their artistic selves. Through carefully curated workshops, discussions, and collaborative projects, the residency fosters an environment that encourages self-discovery and cultivating a deeper connection between art and mindfulness.

The residency culminates in an exhibition showcasing the participants' creations through visual and performance art  during Women's History Month. Attendees will get to explore a diverse array of thought-provoking, emotionally resonant artworks that embody the theme of mindful creativity by four creatives who have completed the residency.

To apply for the residency, artists can complete the application: https://bit.ly/SRWC-Application

For media inquiries and interviews, please contact:

T. Gaines

Love Life Media

T.gaines@lovelifemedia.com

About SheROCKS w/ C.R.O.C.

SheROCKS w/ C.R.O.C. is a collaboration between 501(c)3 The Better Giveback Foundation's Creatives on Campus program and The State of Fem Art's SheROCKS event program, dedicated to providing immersive arts programming and fostering creativity in post-secondary educational settings.

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5 min read

Are We Really Doing Better by Women in the Arts?

Do you feel like we're making real progress toward equality in the arts? Are you aware of the barriers that still exist in arts and entertainment?

On January 7, 2018, women made history in the arts community. The internet was ablaze with talk of Oprah Winfrey running for president after her Cecil B. DeMille Award acceptance speech went viral. Many attendees at the Golden Globes wore black to support the #MeToo movement.  

Reports in the media hailed the event as a triumph for women, but was this really the case? In that year, there were only four female nominees for the Golden Globes. According to women and Hollywood, the 325 nominees for the 2022 awards were almost entirely male (91.1%). There were 29 nominees, but only nine were women, and only three were women directors from traditionally underrepresented groups who took home awards.

It is our duty to work towards a more just and equitable industry. This is especially true in the arts and entertainment fields, where discrimination is still common due to deeply ingrained cultural and social norms. Let’s talk about the current situation of women in the arts and call attention to the gaps that still exist. We will continue to emphasize the role of women in the arts, and we'll talk about how you can get involved. We're hoping this helps you understand the gravity of why advocacy and allies for women artists is critical and moves you to action.

How Have These Disparities Persisted for So Long?

Since the early days within the arts, women have been working diligently in various capacities. Yet, they continue to face disparities in pay and recognition. Researchers at Williams College recently looked at the collections of the most important art museums in the United States. They found that only 13% of the artists in those collections were women. But according to information from the job site Zippia, about 55% of artists who work in the museum are women.  

This is a problem that needs to be addressed. Art spaces should have collections representative of the women who are also working in those museums. We need to have more discussions about the role of women in the arts and how to best support them from the curators to the artists. This includes encouraging girls and women from a young age to pursue an artistic career. By raising awareness around these issues, we can progress toward a more equitable future for women in the arts!

What Are the Disparities in the Arts and Entertainment Industries for Women?

According to FORBES, Between 2008 and 2019, an estimated $196.6 billion was spent at art auctions, but only $4 billion went to women artists.

Men largely dominate the arts and entertainment industries. This is true not only for actors and directors but also for stage managers and production assistants. As a result, women face many disadvantages within these industries. These disadvantages can dramatically impact their careers - even when they reach the top levels. Lack of visibility is one of the main problems women face. This is because women are often underrepresented in the media, reviews, and ratings.  

Gender bias and sexism are also big issues, as women often experience discrimination and inequality. However, there's still a long way to go before parity is achieved in the arts. We must continue working hard to achieve it, starting with awareness and understanding.

The Strides Being Made by Women in the Arts

The world of the arts is complex and diverse, and it's no wonder that women have had a hard time breaking through the glass ceiling. However, there's been some progress made in recent years. The Center for Women in Television and Film reports that women have made great strides in the entertainment industry, with more women working in behind-the-scenes roles and more female artists achieving mainstream success.  

Women comprise most professional art museum staff; but despite recent gains, they remain underrepresented in leadership positions. Again, there is still a lot of work to be done. The importance of women in the arts cannot be overstated. They have been essential in shaping our society and culture for generations.  

They continue to make valuable contributions to art, dance, music, literature, and we need them more than ever. It's time we started taking action and supporting women in the arts. Women need more opportunities to get exposure and gain recognition for their talent. We need to support their work intentionally so they can make even more progress in the future.

The Challenges That Remain for Women in the Arts

The arts is important for both individuals and society as a whole. Art can help us express ourselves in ways that are unique and can offer therapeutic benefits. However, many challenges remain for women artists.

  • According to Billboard. women are undervalued in the music industry and do far too much work. 57% of those polled work more than one job, 24% work 40-51%, and 28% work more than 50%. Approximately one-third of those polled earn less than $40,000 annually, and nearly half believe they should be further along in their careers.  

  • One of the hardest things for women to do in the design industry in 2022 is to find strong role models. According to the National Museum Women's Association, Women make up a majority of professional art museum staff; despite recent gains, they remain underrepresented in leadership positions.

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To make real progress, we need to be more aware of the challenges that exist and take action to address them. We need to support women artists and help them reach their full potential. This will be challenging, but it's essential to see real change in the arts industry! Thankfully, people are working collectively to change these things.

The arts are a part of our history and culture and should be inclusive for everyone. Arts are a powerful medium for expression and can help break down barriers. Unfortunately, women have been largely left out of the arts scene -more specifically in equal pay and opportunities. That's why it's so important that men play a significant role in advocating for women in the arts.  Here’s how men can help to support women artists.

  1. Realize that there is no one cause of inequality but many. Do your research and learn the space you wish to influence.  

  1. Address toxic masculinity in creative and work spaces.

  1. Spread the word about and pay for the work of women artists.

  1. Cultivate the talent of skilled women artists by offering opportunities.

  1. Work alongside women in the arts. If we work together, we can give everyone a place to share their ideas and make sure that everyone can also enjoy great art.

The art world is full of women who have worked hard and succeeded at the highest levels. These women are leaders in their fields, reaching new heights every day. But we still have a long way to go before women are treated equally and fairly. Despite all the progress we've made as an industry (for better or worse), there's still more work to do regarding gender parity in Hollywood and beyond—and now more than ever, we need your help! We would love to hear from you!  

If you’re a woman artist, let us know how we can support you by taking our survey. If you want to learn how to support women artists, join the conversation by subscribing to The State of Fem Art podcast.

Podcasts
Deborah Anderson

E06 – Deborah Anderson | Diversity in Animation & Protecting the Creative Spirit

Timea Faulkner chats w/ Deborah Anderson, a 3D modeler who got her start working in a South Korean animation studio working on Family Guy & more.
Eliana Reyes

E05 - Eliana Reyes | Body Positivity, Being Afro-LatinX in the Film Industry, and The Representation of LatinX People in Media

Creative Eliana Reyes shares her experience growing up as an Afro-Latinx plus-size woman in an industry built on vanity.
Carolynn Haydu

E04 - Carolynn Haydu | The Resilience and Eviction of Artists Following the Sale of American Steel Studios

We speak about what's happening in Oakland, the importance of art to creators and spectators, and reserving space for yourself as an artist.