GETTING STARTED

For nonprofit arts organizations, demographic data can be constructive information that offers insight into patterns among all their various constituencies, including staff, board, visitors, funders, and artists, as well as into their policies around collections, exhibitions, funding, and governance. In the aggregate, artists’ demographic data can reveal broader insights, including what groups or identities are equitably or inequitably represented and presented within an institution’s holdings and exhibition programs. An arts organization that analyzes demographic data of artists can make its exhibitions, permanent gallery displays, and acquisitions more inclusive. This is particularly true in considering living artists. The data collection process itself presents an opportunity to center equitable practices.

Any artist demographic study must begin with thoughtful, cross-functional discussions to develop a clear motivation or key purpose for the collection of this data. This motivation, and the process as a whole, should be transparent and shareable.

Artist demographic data collecting initiatives might be requested by institutional leadership or colleagues who have a particular need in mind or see the benefits of collecting this data more generally to help shape the organization’s mission and exhibition and collection programs. They may also be a response to external interest, such as questions from constituencies and media inquiries. Regardless, for many organizations, these are new projects and there are many questions on where to begin, how to best approach this type of enterprise, and even what artist demographic data is and how to collect it.

This section seeks to provide guidance for brainstorming, conceptualizing, assessing, considering the ethical ramifications of, and finally beginning (or deciding not to begin) to create this type of project.

Navigating myriad unique identities, and numerous ways to define those identities, is complicated. It is imperative to implement a collaborative, mission -driven process that includes voices from across and outside of the institution. Any artist demographic study must begin with thoughtful, cross-functional discussions to develop a clear motivation or key purpose for the collection of this data. This motivation, and the process as a whole, should be transparent and shareable.

During the conceptualization process, as demographic data is highly sensitive personal information for which the institution will be responsible, it is important to be aware of the practical and ethical considerations for the project, such as resources, long-term investment, and privacy. Artist questionnaires are meant to affirm artists’ agency to define their own identity; however, if proper care is not taken, there is serious potential to create harm. The cognitive dissonance between traditional expectations of open access to all information relating to an organization’s engagement with artists in their collection and/or exhibitions and the need to respect individuals’ right to privacy will need to be considered transparently and inclusively. It is not possible to guarantee the privacy of material collected due to the potential for human error and the fallibility of digital systems. Some information, such as citizenship status, may be considered sensitive enough that it should not be collected at all.

Discussions need to be had from the beginning on how this data will be used by the organization, which will affect the management and maintenance of the information within your organization. Collecting and reporting on sensitive, personal data requires an understanding of its use by all internal and external stakeholders. Usage should be the very first question in answering why a project is being requested, and one that should be constantly raised throughout the process. Each project should have a mission statement that includes the why and the usage aspect and that is referred to throughout the process.

If an institution feels it does not have the capacity, support, or resources to carry out this work in accordance with the highest ethics and professional practices, consideration could be given to collaborate with other institutions, pool resources, connect with external colleagues, and/or reflect on other paths forward, such as a smaller-scale initiative that adds questions to a preexisting process. If the recommendation from the stakeholders is that the organization cannot, to the utmost best practices, create an artist demographic study that is fair and equitable, then honest discussions on postponing the project should be made. All uncertainties should be sorted through to full agreement by all engaged before proceeding.