Challenges of being an artist in the 21st century
As a French expressionist artist in Los Angeles and Palm Springs, I know that being an artist in 2025 involves both challenges and opportunity. In this blog I will review some of the challenges each of us meet at different times of our career.
1. Financial InstabilityMany artists face unpredictable income streams, often relying on grants, freelance gigs, or side jobs. Research shows that visual artists earn significantly below average salaries, with some making less than $15,000 annually from their art practice. This financial stress often forces artists to juggle multiple jobs and even unpaid work, which can impact their well-being and quality of life[1]. Rising costs for materials, studio space, and exhibition fees add to the burden, especially for emerging artists who lack financial backing.
2. Market Saturation and Visibility ChallengesThe digital age has made sharing art easier, but it also creates oversaturation. With countless artists and hobbyists posting online, standing out is harder than ever. Social media algorithms often favor trending content, pushing artists to focus on marketing rather than pure creativity.Moreover, emerging artists struggle to gain exposure and recognition, often facing high submission fees, being shunned by commercial galleries and limited guidance on which platforms or exhibitions to target.
3. Lack of Business and Marketing SkillsMany artists do not know how to price their work, manage finances, or market themselves effectively. This gap makes sustaining an art career extremely challenging. Selling art requires balancing creativity with entrepreneurship—skills like branding, networking, and digital marketing are now essential.
4. Psychological PressuresThe constant need to innovate and remain visible adds emotional strain. Mental health issues are prevalent; surveys show that nearly half of artists rate their mental health as poor or fair due to financial and career pressures1.
5. The era of AIAI and digital tools have transformed art creation, but they also threaten traditional practices. AI-generated art competes with human creativity, raising concerns about originality and intellectual property rights. Many artists feel that their creative autonomy is compromised.
In summary, artists struggle due to a mix of financial insecurity, lack of business skills, oversaturation, psychological stress, and the creative threats generated by AI. Success often requires adaptability, and a strong balance between creativity and entrepreneurship.
But there are some advantages to being an artist today. Our next blog will tackle some of them.
References
https://theconversation.com/new-research-lays-bare-the-harsh-realities-facing-artists-and-arts-workers-253547
https://thefrequencymass.com/challenges-and-opportunities-for-emerging-visual-artists/
Resch M., How to become a successful artist, Phaidon.