Selection of organisations
The selection of organisations included in the survey played a key role in determining which artists were represented. The organisational structures vary across the Nordic countries. For instance, Sveriges Författarförbund represents a wide range of members, including fiction and non-fiction authors, translators, and others, while in Norway, there are several smaller organisations representing specific groups within the arts.
The number of participating organisations was limited to two per Nordic country. A key principle in selecting the organisations was to identify the largest and most inclusive organisation in each cultural field (literature, visual arts, performing arts) and country.
The selection of organisations was based on preparatory work conducted by Kulturanalys Norden in the autumn of 2022, when all organisations in the Nordic countries that Kulturanalys Norden was aware of and could contact were asked if they would consider participating in the study. Based on the information and responses from the preparatory work, it was found that it was not possible to include any organisations operating in Finland. The same applied to Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Åland, which either lack organisations with sufficient membership or were unable to participate.
Description of participating organisations
Participating organisations in Sweden
In Sweden, Sveriges Författarförbund and Konstnärernas Riksorganisation participated in the study.
Konstnärernas Riksorganisation is a trade union organisation that represents around 3 000 professional visual artists, crafts artists, and designers. To become a member, individuals must be Swedish citizens or foreign citizens working in Sweden. They must also be professional artists who have either completed a university degree in art, have a documented background in the visual arts, are students at a Swedish or approved foreign art college, or are members of an equivalent foreign artists' organisation.
Sveriges Författarförbund is an interest organisation for active authors and literary translators, with around 3 500 members. The union represents authors of fiction and non-fiction for children and adults, as well as literary translators in similar fields. Several criteria must be met to become a member. A member must have published at least two works that are available in Swedish libraries. Furthermore, the authorship must be characterised by continuity, and a quality assessment is made.
No questionnaire was sent out to Swedish performing artists within the framework of the study. Our assessment is that the two organisations included in the survey are the largest in their fields. There is likely good coverage of visual artists and authors in Sweden, but performing artists are not included.
Myndigheten för kulturanalys and Konstnärsnämnden have worked together in two memoranda to map the artist population based on registers and occupational codes. With the delimitations made in the registers based on artistic occupational codes and income from the artistic sector, one estimate shows around 52 000 artistic professionals (Konstnärsnämnden and Myndigheten för kulturanalys, 2022), and another shows just over 55 000 artistic professionals (Konstnärsnämnden and Myndigheten för kulturanalys, 2024). Of the 55 000 artistic professionals, 1 814 belonged to the category "Words." The "Crafts" and "Visual arts and design" categories included 3 789 individuals (Konstnärsnämnden and Myndigheten för kulturanalys, 2024, p. 16).
Participating organisations in Denmark
In Denmark, Billedkunstnernes Forbund and Dansk Artist Forbund participated.
Billedkunstnernes Forbund is a professional membership organisation for visual artists in Denmark, with approximately 2 100 members. It is the largest organisation for professional visual artists in the country. Several criteria must be met to become a member. To apply directly, applicants must have completed a visual arts programme in Denmark or at a foreign educational institution at an equivalent level. Membership can also be obtained through affiliation with other organisations or by receiving funding from the Danish Arts Foundation's Visual Arts Committee or a similar fund, by having held a solo exhibition at a recognised art museum, gallery, or other exhibition space, or by securing a significant sales or decoration commission for a public or private institution.
Dansk Artist Forbund is a trade union organisation that represents musicians and performing artists. With nearly 800 members, it represents artists in the music, performing arts, and entertainment industries. To become a member, individuals must be professional performing artists, with relevant artistic education or training. While Dansk Artist Forbund represents a broad spectrum of performing artists, it is not the largest organisation for actors in Denmark. Therefore, the coverage of the performing arts field is limited.
Statistics Denmark has published statistics on the number of artists in Denmark, based on information from registers and member organisations representing cultural creators (Statistics Denmark, 2023). In total, around 28 000 artistic professionals are identified in Denmark. The statistics show that in 2022, there were approximately 14 000 professionals working in music, 3 300 in theatre and performing arts, around 3 000 in visual arts, and 3 000 in literature.
Participating organisations in Norway
In Norway, Creo and Den norske Forfatterforening participated.
Creo is a trade union organisation that brings together individuals working in the cultural sector in Norway. Its more than 11 000 members represent various occupational groups within music, performing arts, and education, such as musicians, artists, music producers, educators, music teachers, light and sound technicians, church musicians, and administrative managers within the cultural sector. Many of its members are employed in music, theatre, or dance institutions. The membership criterion requires individuals to derive their income from artistic or art education professions.
Creo has members who fall outside the scope of this survey, such as those employed as administrators or managers in cultural organisations. When the survey was sent out, it was clearly communicated that it was targeted at those working on stage in the performing arts. Among the respondents, most belonged to groups performing on stage.
Den norske Forfatterforening represents fiction authors writing for adults. The organisation has around 780 members. To become a member, individuals must live in Norway or be a Norwegian citizen living abroad. They must also have authored and published at least one book for adults that meets literary standards. Since the Norwegian Authors' Union is focused on fiction for adults, authors of non-fiction and other literary genres are not represented.
In Norway, Statistics Norway publishes data on the number of individuals employed in the cultural and creative industries, based on registers. The statistics show that in 2022, there were around 7 300 people employed in music, 7 200 in literature, 4 600 in performing arts, 3 300 in visual arts, and 5 300 in entertainment and other artistic activities.