Earlier this month, on March 8, International Women's Day was celebrated. I don't dwell on that every year honestly. Unjustly so, because that celebration is not unimportant. See, for example Iris Schipper's research in which she shows that female artists in particular are advised against starting children because it would hurt their careers.
Perhaps still a realistic opinion, but the point is that the solution to this problem should be sought somewhere other than the women themselves, such as in the social preconditions that come with raising children. A step in that direction, by the way, can be recognized in the funding scheme 'Artist and Child' of the Mondriaan Fund, which is intended to cover additional costs for child care when, for example, setting up an exhibition or participating in a residency.
Only a quarter of parliamentary seats worldwide are occupied by women.
Not dwelling on International Women's Day every year is a luxury that stems from my own privileged position and does not take into account the position of millions of women worldwide who live in less rosy circumstances, nor the knowledge that gender equality does not exist worldwide. For example, politics is dominated by men: only a quarter of parliamentary seats worldwide are occupied by women.
On average, women earn less than men for the same work and are more likely to have unpaid care responsibilities. Gender-based violence remains a major problem worldwide, and even in progressive countries, entrenched stereotypes about women in leadership persist, reducing women's opportunities to advance to high political or managerial positions.
Dutch art academies often have more female students than male, and yet fewer women succeed in breaking through to the top of the art world
Gender inequality also plays a role in the visual art world. Despite the growing recognition of female and non-binary artists, art collections, awards, exhibitions and market prizes are still dominated by the choice of male participants. Major museums and galleries worldwide feature far more art by men than art by women: a 2019 U.S. study found that 11 percent of artworks in museum collections were created by women, A 2020 survey by Mama Cash and Atria revealed that in the four largest Dutch museums (Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk Museum, Van Gogh Museum and Mauritshuis), only 13 percent of solo exhibitions between 2009 and 2019 were dedicated to female artists. Dutch art academies often have more female students than male, and yet fewer women succeed in breaking through to the top of the art world. The most expensive works sold by female artists lag far behind those of men in terms of price. Art history is still dominated by names like Picasso, Van Gogh and Rembrandt, while women artists like Artemisia Gentileschi, Hilma af Klint and Lee Krasner received (and continue to receive) far less recognition. And so on.
Fortunately, there are also plenty of positive voices and movements, but still, because International Women's Day extends beyond everyone's own lives, it remains important to dwell on this day. Next year again!
More information
– Man earns 50% more in art world
– Sexism in the visual arts in figures
– More information general
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