THE PERFORMING ARTISTS SURVEY

New survey to uncover realities of the performers in the norwegian popular music industry

In a significant move to understand and improve the working conditions and economy of artists and musicians in popular music, the performing artist survey “Artistundersøkelsen”, an initiative led by GramArt and CreaTeME at the University of Agder, has been launched. This initiative marks an important step towards gaining insights into the lives and challenges of performers in the music industry.

GramArt, representing professional artists and musicians within popular music, has joined forces with CreaTeME, a newly established center for music technology at the University of Agder. Their goal is to map out the industry's landscape and uncover the challenges faced by artists – a concern shared by the public sector.

This survey comes as a response to the inability of these artists and musicians to participate in the so-called “Kunstnerundersøkelsen” (published 2015), commissioned by the Norwegian Arts Council. By conducting their survey, GramArt ensures that the questions are more targeted and relevant to the performers themselves.

Marit Larsen, a beloved artist and board member of GramArt, highlights the initiative's importance, stating, "This survey is crucial for GramArt, educational institutions, policy makers, and decision-makers in politics to optimize the business conditions for Norwegian artists."

The survey, which will be conducted annually, aims to provide a robust data foundation. Ivar Storm Peersen, chairman of GramArt and guitarist in the metal band Enslaved, emphasizes the importance of high response rates to debunk myths related to music economics and improve conditions for professional artists and musicians.

CreaTeME's involvement guarantees the high quality of the data and adherence to rigorous research methodologies. Daniel Nordgård, professor at the University of Agder, director of CreaTeME, and a long-time member of GramArt's board, leads this initiative. He notes, "This regular survey will give us reliable data over time, helping to evaluate various measures influencing the artist economy."

 A key benefit of conducting their own survey, as Nordgård points out, is that the data ownership remains with the artists, aligning with the EU's data collection standards. This approach ensures that the valuable information remains the property of the artists themselves.

 Overall, the performing artist survey “Artistundersøkelsen” promises to provide GramArt, authorities, and other stakeholders with the insights needed to more effectively support the livelihoods and business conditions of artists and musicians in the popular music industry, a sector not comprehensively studied since the artist report in 2015.

Read the press release