Data and insight on artists’ working conditions, career barriers, and ambitions

J. M. W. Turner, The Burning of the Houses of Lords and Commons, 16th October, 1834

Applied addresses a crucial gap in data and insights related to artists in England — specifically, their working conditions, the barriers they face, and their career ambitions. While there are many initiatives focused on audience data, such as The Audience Agency and Taking Part, Applied is the only ongoing, artist-focused data project of its kind in the country. 

Applied is made up of three key components: 

  • The Applied Partnership – A collaborative data sharing initiative involving arts organisations that engage with artists through open calls, memberships, and registrations. 
  • Applied Insights – Analysis and interpretation of data gathered through the Applied Partnership, providing a deeper understanding of the evolving landscape in which artists work. 
  • Applied Metrics – Regular data snapshots offering headline indicators on the state of artists’ working lives, highlighting key trends in conditions, barriers, and ambitions. Coming in Winter 2025 

We use insights from Applied to design more equitable programmes, inform our reporting to funders, and strengthen collective advocacy efforts. By tracking trends over time, we’re also able to hold ourselves accountable in diversifying who we work with. Looking ahead, we aim to collaborate with researchers and funders to develop strategic projects grounded in this data. 

Get involved

Finding out how you can better understand the artists you work with, streamline reporting, and collaborate on the UK’s only ongoing artist workforce data partnership.

If you’re an artist-focussed organisation interested in working with us, contact Nick Kaplony at Artquest to talk more.