Early insights from the NAVA Member Survey

More than 90% of respondents are practising artists. Many of you keep up with NAVA’s work through our monthly NAVA News (58%), direct emails (58%), and the NAVA website (39%).

Early results from the survey reveal that the most important advocacy concerns are:

1. Pay and working conditions/cost of living: 70%
2. Freedom of expression: 55%
3. Lack of funding: 54%
4. Racial equity: 53%
5. Gender equity: 52%

In the open-ended section of the survey, many of you also mentioned concerns about the lack of funding and financial support, especially the scarcity of grants, rising studio costs, and the need for a living wage. Accessibility and inclusion are also significant issues, with many highlighting the challenges faced by marginalised groups. Other major concerns include recognising art as work and its value to society, supporting mental health and well-being, and improving education and professional development opportunities.

These issues reflect the critical challenges in the visual arts sector and the need for continued and focused advocacy. NAVA is encouraged by your feedback and remains committed to addressing these concerns through current and future campaigns.

Nearly 15% of you have rated NAVA’s recent advocacy as extremely effective, more than 40% as very effective, and 32% as moderately effective. While this shows we are making an impact, there is still room for growth. Your detailed feedback will help us refine our strategies to better serve you.

NAVA’s Code continues to be a key resource for our Members. Over 11% of respondents always refer to it, more than 20% often, and 40% sometimes. The valued sections of the Code include:

1. Payment Standards: 65%
2. Exhibiting: 46%
3. Principles, Ethics, and Rights: 37%
4. Commissioning and Funding: 35%
5. Good practice recommendations throughout the Code: 33%

Members value NAVA’s learning resources, with 17% finding them extremely helpful, 41% very helpful, and 27% moderately helpful. Here’s what some of you said:

• “Clear guidance and exceptional learning design/information design. It is evident that a lot of work went into producing resources that are clear and helpful.”
• “I love NAVA. It has helped guide me and the young people I mentor to know and understand their rights.”
• “The resources I've accessed have been very useful, especially as a teaching resource for my students!”
• “Gave me the language and the guidelines to work with artists in my business and to guide my own practice.”
• “They taught me things I did not learn in my degrees.”

Members join NAVA for various reasons. Here are some of the key motivations:

• Premium Plus Members: Insurance coverage (97%), supporting NAVA and its mission (50%), the Code of Practice (47%), professional recognition (46%), and being part of the arts community (44%).
• Premium and Organisation Members: Supporting NAVA and its mission (64%), being part of the arts community (64%), the Code of Practice (57%), NAVA’s advocacy and campaign work (55%), and access to online guides and factsheets (54%).

For those who are not paid Members, cost is the biggest barrier, with 63% saying they can’t afford Membership fees. This feedback is crucial as we consider ways to make Membership more accessible while still providing valuable benefits.

If you haven’t completed the survey yet, there is still time! Your feedback is vital in shaping the future direction of NAVA’s advocacy and services. The survey closes on Sunday 15 September 2024.

Thank you again for your continued support and engagement. Together, we can create a stronger, more equitable visual arts sector.

ID: Graphic illustration of a green smiley face emoji with raised eyebrows and pastel green cheeks.