Artist in the picture

CBK Rotterdam and SKAR commissioned research among professional artists in Rotterdam. On Wednesday 11 June at 20.00 o'clock, the results of this research into the changes in artistry in Rotterdam will be presented in TENT, followed by a discussion led by Hugo Bongers (including lecturer in Cultural Diversity at the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences) based on three core themes from the research - accommodation, network and income - in conversation with, among others, visual artists Charl Landvreugd and Karin Arink and the public.

The research was conducted by agency Motivaction International BV on behalf of the Center for Visual Arts Rotterdam (CBK Rotterdam) and the Stichting KunstAccommodatie Rotterdam (SKAR).

Outcomes of the research 'The Rotterdam artist in the picture'
1250 professional artists in Rotterdam were approached for the research. These artists are registered with the CBK Rotterdam and / or SKAR. A quarter of them participated in the study, making the results representative of the target group as a whole. Based on the results and discussion with the artists, CBK Rotterdam and SKAR hope to be able to improve their programs.

Artistry
The image of the Rotterdam artist that emerges from the research is that of an artist connected to the city; content with his / her studio; sees a social role for itself and believes that there must also be room for autonomous research. The Rotterdam artist seeks cooperation and dialogue and is a doer who derives the majority of his income from (art-related or non-art) work.

Accommodation
A striking result of the Motivaction study is the much heard wish to be able to rent more flexible accommodation: the possibility of being able to rent temporarily and thereby be able to use a larger or smaller studio space that at that moment fits in with the changing nature of the work. This could be achieved, for example, through a more intensive dialogue between the artists, SKAR and the CBK Rotterdam.

Network
Artists from Rotterdam have a wide network, but at the same time have a great need to broaden this. They see an important role for the CBK Rotterdam and SKAR. An important question in the discussion will be which activities the CBK Rotterdam and SKAR can develop to bring the artist, the mediator (gallery owner, curator) and the public (buyer) closer together.

Income
Artists from Rotterdam often have a hybrid practice in which the income is generally formed by non-art-related activities. The claim that artists are mainly dependent on subsidy schemes hardly seems to hold true: only 6% of respondents say they receive income from art subsidies. References are regularly made to the limited outlets for art in Rotterdam, but also to the desire not to work on assignment and to be able to conduct autonomous research. The CBK Rotterdam and SKAR are mentioned as parties that can bring the artist more in contact with the art mediator.