DACS and Artquest have published The New Economy of Art, a collection of new writings on value, patronage and emerging business models in contemporary visual art, with contributions from experts across the art world as well as interventions by artists Sonia Boyce, Jeremy Deller and Barbara Steveni.
The art world paradox
Bringing together a range of perspectives, The New Economy of Art explores the current economic infrastructure supporting visual arts in the UK and its impact on individual artists and their capacity to make art.
The book includes texts by Louisa Buck, writer and broadcaster; Alan Freeman, economist; John Kieffer, writer and arts policy advisor; Courtney J. Martin, art historian; Keir McGuinness, arts management consultant; Lynda Morris, curator and art historian; Andrea Phillips, Professor of Fine Art, Goldsmiths; and Andrew Wheatley, Director, Cabinet.
These are complemented by specially commissioned interventions from artists Sonia Boyce, Jeremy Deller and Barbara Steveni. Sonia Boyce and Barbara Steveni have created new works that are reproduced within the pages of the book and Jeremy Deller has designed a set of bookmarks.
Collectively, the contributors expose the paradox of the UK’s art economy and ultimately, its fragility; where an unregulated art market grows at a rapid rate while individual artists’ capacity to make art is threatened by a vulnerable and precarious income.
Order your copy of the book
The book costs £14.99 and can be purchased online from The New Economy of Art website.
Published on 3 December 2014, The New Economy of Art builds on a series of eponymous public debates organised by DACS and Artquest that took place between 2009, 2011 and 2012. The book was presented to MPs, policy-makers and the arts sector at a launch event at the House of Commons in November 2014. Read more.
The New Economy of Art debate series
To launch The New Economy of Art and deepen discussion around the issues it raises, we hosted a series of public debates at DACS’ offices between December 2014 and April 2015.
The debates explored key topics addressed in the book, including art education, public funding and private sponsorship, and the art market and regulation.
Listen to audio recordings of the debates below:
You can also browse photographs of the debates on DACS' Facebook page.
Find out more about the debate series
The New Economy of Art book and debate series have been supported with funding from Arts Council England.
Image: The New Economy of Art book. Front cover artwork: ‘We sit starving amidst our gold’ Jeremy Deller 2013 (painted by Stuart Hughes)