This is the first in a series of working papers reporting key issues and trends for professional artists. It is also part of a broader investigation into the state of the arts sector. In November 2003, the Australia Council published Don't Give Up Your Day Job - An economic study of professional artists in Australia by Professor David Throsby and Virginia Hollister, the fourth report in a series spanning 20 years. The Throsby research provides useful information on artist incomes that is not otherwise available. Over the past six months the Australia Council Research Centre has prepared separate research reports by artform/arts practice area and analysed key trends. The data in this working paper is most useful for looking at artists by artform. This creates difficulties for multi- artform areas and the research is of limited use for new media arts, community cultural development and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts. Don't Give Up Your Day Job and a commentary highlighting key issues for the Australia Council are available from the Council Web site.

http://www.ozco.gov.au/arts_resources/other/working_paper_1/