Disabled artists and cost of living

Deep dive into Disabled artists experiences in the cost-of-living crisis, 2023-24

In the context of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, Disabled artists experience poorer mental health, less income and savings, more debt and fewer opportunities. While all artists experience precarious careers (lack of savings, drops in income), disabled artists are particularly badly hit.

Key findings from this report show that the cost-of-living crisis is having a greater negative impact on disabled artists:

• 9% more disabled than non-disabled artists experienced a significant drop in income from their arts practice
• 14% more disabled than non-disabled artists also experienced a drop in income from all other sources
• Income drops have led to increased debt for disabled artists, with 19% more disabled than non-disabled artists taking on debt
• 7% more disabled than non-disabled artists had to spend savings to replace income, but 7% more disabled artists had no savings to spend
• In this financial landscape, fewer disabled artists are able to take on arts opportunities. 12% more disabled than non-disabled artists reported a drop in exhibiting and other professional projects
• All this has had a greater negative impact on the mental health of disabled artists. 48% of disabled artists accessed mental health / wellbeing support, with 35% of non-disabled artists doing the same.  

Read below or download the Disabled artists and cost of living report.