

The Numbers
11 snips Nov 4, 2022
Two arts journalists shine a light on the impact of social movements like #MeToo and Black Lives Matter on diversity in art museums. They critically analyze whether there are genuinely more artworks by women and people of color on display. Through rigorous research, they reveal alarming statistics on representation disparities. They humorously yet pointedly discuss the slow progress towards gender parity and highlight the need for systemic change in the art world to truly reflect diverse identities.
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Art World Inclusivity Myth
- The art world often portrays itself as progressive and inclusive, particularly after movements like #MeToo and Black Lives Matter.
- However, data analysis reveals significant disparities in representation, challenging this narrative.
Data Collection on Black American Artists
- Charlotte Burns and Julia Halpern collected data from art museums on works by Black American artists.
- They found that acquisitions of works by these artists were significantly lower than their representation in the U.S. population.
Women Artists' Underrepresentation
- Initial expectations of extensive data on women artists proved inaccurate, highlighting their underrepresentation.
- Women artists represented only about 11% of acquisitions, echoing the disparity found with Black American artists.