The protean careers of artists

Despite the fact that many studies have demonstrated significant social and economic benefits of the arts, creative and performing artists continue to experience the highest levels of unemployment and underemployment of any professional group. Artists' careers are distinctive for more reasons than this. Artists tend to follow boundaryless career patterns characterised by non-linear career paths, and a patchwork of self employment, part-time, and casual work alongside continual training and retraining. In addition, artists often possess very strong internal career motivations and criteria for success, known as a protean career orientation. This book documents a program of research which draws upon what is known about the skills and attitudes required for success in boundaryless and protean careers to investigate predictors of success among emerging and professional artists in Australia.