Nearly Half of Mid-Career Women Are Thinking of Leaving the Art World: Report
A new report titled “Hardwiring Change: Buying Back Time,” published June 8, 2026, presents findings from more than 2,000 survey participants about women’s working conditions in the art world. Produced as the second annual collaboration between Artnet and the Association of Women in the Arts (AWITA), it finds that nearly half of Gen Z and millennial-aged women are considering leaving the industry within the next five years. More than half of respondents cited fair pay and job security as the most important factors for sustaining a career, alongside calls for transparency in decision-making, mentorship, clearer promotion structures, and reduced administrative burdens. The report frames these issues as structural pressures that could lead to a significant talent drain if not addressed.
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This story was covered in Reopenings, Strikes, and Art’s Political Crossfire