UiA and GramArt to survey artists’ finances

The artist survey is a collaboration between GramArt – the artists’ own organisation – and CreaTeME, the Centre for Excellence in Creative Use of Technologies in Music Education at the University of Agder.

CreaTeME has been entrusted with the task of conducting the artist survey. The survey, which is now being sent to GramArt members and other self-employed performers in popular music, will provide answers to various questions about the life of performers.

“We will utilise the insights gathered from the survey in our ongoing research and development within the music industry,” says Daniel Nordgård, professor at the University of Agder, director of CreaTeME, and board member of GramArt.

“Given that this will be a regular survey, we will also obtain reliable trend data and observe the developments in the field over time. Therefore, the survey can also be used to assess the effectiveness of various measures from the ministries, the policy tools, and others who have an influence on the artist economy,” Nordgård explains.

Daniel Nordgård Daniel Nordgård is a professor and director of CreaTeME at UiA. He also serves a board member of GramArt. (Photo: Jørund Pedersen)

Designed by the artists themselves 

The artist survey from last year, conducted on behalf of the Norwegian Arts Council, did for various reasons not include data from performers in the realm of popular music. The most recent available statistics date back to 2015. This is why the artists themselves are now conducting the Artist Survey, which will provide updated and relevant data.

“This is insight that we in GramArt, policymakers, and educational institutions need in order to ensure the best possible business conditions for Norwegian artists,” says Marit Larsen, artist and board member of GramArt.

“We artists have designed the survey ourselves to uncover what truly matters to us,” she adds.

Marit Larsen is an artist and board member of GramArt. (Photo: Ingrid Pop)

BOX About GramArt and CreaTeME 

GramArt serves as the representative body for self-employed artists, musicians, and performing studio producers in popular music. It is the oldest artist organisation in Norway.

CreaTeME, which stands for Creative use of Technologies in Music Education, is a Centre for Excellence in Education (SFU) at the University of Agder. The centre was established in 2023 and focuses on four key areas: pedagogy, artistic practice, professionalism, and sustainability. Its primary goal is to become a global hub for the development of artistic and pedagogical use of technology in higher music education.

The more we know, the better 

“Finally, we can find out more about what artists actually earn after remunerating the musicians and sound technicians and covering tour expenses. We suspect that the amount is much less than commonly perceived. The more responses we receive, the better it will be,” says Ivar Storm Peersen, board chair of GramArt and guitarist in the metal band Enslaved.

“The survey is being distributed to our members and other self-employed performers in popular music. With the survey being initiated by the artists’ organisation, artists can be confident that the survey is designed in a way that takes their needs into account. The data we acquire will further inform our efforts to ensure that self-employed artists and musicians earn a viable income,” Peersen concludes.