The Australia Council has released a report revealing that one third of Australian artists earn less than the poverty line. The report, Don’t give up your day job, examines the economic situation of Australian artists, revealing that most artists cannot make a living from their profession. According to the report, 50 per cent of artists earn less than $7,300 a year from their profession. Australia Council Chairman, David Gonski AO said today that the median income for all work from an artist is $30,000, but many earn far less. ‘Australian artists are forced to work two or three jobs, in many cases non-arts related jobs such as telemarketing, to make a living,’ said Gonski. ‘This impacts on artists directly but also on society in general. We have a huge capacity to have a much larger arts and cultural scene and we just aren’t using it. ‘Artists would create more plays, artworks, novels and performances if the income they received for their art was even marginally increased.’ The report shows that while the income of other professions and occupations has grown since the 1980s, the income of artists has remained the same. It is the fourth report in a series spanning 20 years. The report also shows there are 45,000 professional artists in Australia, with this number growing steadily by two to three per cent annually. Music and the visual arts dominate artistic practice, with one in three artists musicians and one in five artists visual artists. To view the Australia Council report 'Don't Give Up Your Day Job' online, CLICK HERE.