No equality in the cultural sector
Women are significantly underrepresented in many areas of the Swiss cultural sector. The greatest need for action is in the fields of music and visual arts. This is the result of a preliminary study by the Center for Gender Studies at the University of Basel, which was published today.
The study provides new figures on gender ratios in the performing arts, music, literature and visual arts, according to a press release from the Arts Council Pro Helvetia. The differences between the disciplines are pronounced, with the greatest need for action in the areas of music and visual arts.
Women are underrepresented in management positions. While 55 percent of women in the literature are employed at the management/director level, not a single woman can be found at this level in the music institutions surveyed. Women are also greatly outnumbered in artistic management positions and as authors of artistic works.
Only seven percent of concerts are conducted by women. Of the musical works performed, only two percent are by female composers.
Women also receive disproportionately few opportunities to perform in music: While the proportion of women at classical concerts is still 34 percent, it is only 9 to 12 percent in rock/pop and jazz live performances.
Link to the study:
https://genderstudies.philhist.unibas.ch/de/forschung/aktuelle-forschungsprojekte/geschlechterverhaeltnisse-im-schweizer-kulturbetrieb/
