Nearly half of women working in the arts say gender has held them back

Nearly half of women working in the arts in Scotland believe their gender is a barrier to career progression.

Men are more likely to reach senior positions, earn more than women and describe their work as international, according to a major study into the diversity of the nation’s cultural landscape.

Men were also much more likely to have worked for longer in the creative sector, be working full-time and be less likely to be the main or sole carer of children.

The survey of 1500 arts workers, for quango Creative Scotland, found a “significant pay gap” between men and women.

According to the research, 44 per cent of women working in the arts felt their gender had hindered their career, compared with 12 per cent of men.

The report states: “While some respondents reported specific experience of sexism or discrimination within the workplace, women’s experience in the sector differs beyond simple gender bias.

“The data suggests that males in the sector have more career success by a number of different measures.”

The research found the sector was “asset-rich and income-poor” with 60 per cent of artists and performers earning less than £20,000 a year, despite high levels of education. Low earnings, an expectaton of having to work for free and unpaid internships were key factors which saw “economic limitations” cited as the most common barrier to career progression.

Philip Deverell, Creative Scotland’s strategy director, said: “We’ll be working closely with the arts sectors, using the findings from this survey, to address the barriers that obstruct people developing and progressing their careers.”