A new report titled "Hardwiring Change: Buying Back Time," the second annual collaboration between Artnet and the Association of Women in the Arts (AWITA), reveals that nearly half of mid-career women in the art world are considering leaving the industry within the next five years. Based on over 2,000 survey responses, the report highlights that women aged 35–44 face the highest attrition risk (50.6%), driven by structural barriers, administrative overload, and pay inequity. Key findings show that 76% of women aged 35–54 encounter barriers related to gender, race, or class, and 48% of full-time workers report excessive administrative burdens.
This matters because the art industry faces a potential talent pipeline crisis, with the very cohort expected to move into leadership roles instead questioning whether they can afford to stay. The report underscores systemic issues like unclear promotion criteria, unsustainable workloads, and a lack of transparency, while also pointing to solutions such as fair pay, mentorship, and better use of AI tools to reduce administrative labor. If unaddressed, these structural pressures could lead to a significant loss of skilled workers, undermining diversity and innovation in the art world.