Join the Movement for #ArtforAll
Breaking Gender Disparities and Creating Space for Underrepresented Voices in the Creative Arts.
Mothers Institute for Collaboration and Art (MICA) is committed to addressing gender inequalities in the arts and culture industry and highlighting the work of mothers, women, and the intersections of other underrepresented groups such as BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and people with disabilities.
Amplifying Perspectives, Building Community: Where Every Voice Matters
Everyone should have the same opportunities to pursue creativity, regardless of background or identity. Our platform offers artists from diverse backgrounds a chance to showcase their work, raise awareness of their struggles, and inspire change.
By amplifying different perspectives and experiences, we hope to create a more inclusive and fair art community for everyone.
Beyond Representation: Amplifying Diversity, Inspiring Change
Join our movement and help us create a world where everyone has an equal opportunity to express themselves and pursue their artistic careers without facing barriers.
Use the hashtag #ArtforAll to show your support and spread the word. Together, we can make a difference and create an art world that truly reflects the diversity of our society.
Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers: The Fight for #ArtforAll
Mothers Institute for Collaboration and Art (MICA) is dedicated to promoting the work of artist m/others (mothers and caretakers) and advocating for greater gender equity in the art world.
Despite some progress in recent years, women artists continue to face significant barriers to representation and recognition, particularly if they are also mothers.
Together, We Can
This webpage explores the gender disparities in the art world and highlights the vital work that MICA and other organizations do to address these issues. Join us in our mission to break down barriers and create a more equitable art world for all.
A Snapshot of Gender Inequalities in the Arts
Writing
According to a research study conducted by the Think Tank for Inclusion & Equity on the State of Inclusion and Equity in TV Writing, 73.7% of women respondents working behind the scenes reported experiencing gender/sexual discrimination or harassment.
NFTs
There is a significant disparity in the NFT industry, as only 5% of the revenue generated from NFTs is received by female artists. This gender gap persists even in the latest medium.
Art Text Books
Mary Ann Sieghart, host of a BBC documentary on the gender gap in art, pointed out that, Gombrich’s The Story of Art, a popular art book often used as a textbook for students, only features one female artist in its 688 pages.
Theatre
According to a League of Professional Theatre Women study, women are underrepresented in theater production, with only 28% of productions directed by women and 31% written by women in the 2017-2018 season.
Let’s Change the Narrative
Mothers are often the backbone of families and communities but also significantly impact the arts. Several organizations are focused on gender equality in the arts, and they are working hard to support women artists by providing resources, networking opportunities, and funding. Women Arts, the Women’s Caucus for Art, the National Museum of Women in the Arts, and the Women in the Arts and Media Coalition are just a few organizations dedicated to creating a better future for women in the arts.
These organizations provide grants, mentorship, and other resources to support women artists. The Guerrilla Girls use humor and art to raise awareness about gender inequality in the arts. At the same time, the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media is a research-based organization working to change how women are portrayed in the media. Together, these organizations are making a real difference by supporting women artists and working to create a more equal and inclusive artistic community.
Parent Artist Advocacy League for Performing Arts + Media (PAAL)
The Parent Artist Advocacy League for Performing Arts + Media (PAAL) is a national network that offers resources and solutions for caregivers in the arts and media industry. They aim to improve the national standard of care for these individuals. We encourage everyone to take PAAL’s and to read and implement The New Standard of Care for Caregivers.
This movement prioritizes anti-racism as the central pillar of caregiver support, as lack of caregiver support disproportionately affects Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities. The New Standard of Care for Caregivers comprises 11 action steps that revolve around the three pillars of justice. PAAL urges institutions to prioritize and center anti-racism in all practices, including caregiver support, to make it standard.
Let’s Combat Gender Inequality in the Art World.
Despite some progress in recent years, women artists still face significant obstacles, such as a lack of representation and recognition, as evidenced by Helen Gørrill‘s study on the value of art. Men’s art is valued up to 80% more than women’s, and women’s art loses value when they sign it. Gørrill’s work calls for action in art to challenge existing methodologies and combat this injustice.
These disparities are particularly pronounced for artist m/others, who often face additional challenges, such as juggling childcare responsibilities with their artistic pursuits.
MICA is working to address these issues by providing support and resources for artist m/others and advocating for greater gender equity in the art world. Art should be inclusive and representative of diverse perspectives, and by supporting artist mothers and other marginalized groups, we can help to create a richer and more inclusive art world for everyone to enjoy.
Taking Action for Equity and Inclusion
It’s time to take action and create real change. We demand equity and inclusion within the arts community for women, m/others, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and disabled creative artists.
Representation is not a luxury – it is a necessity. We refuse to stand by and watch as talented artists are pushed aside simply because of who they are or what they represent.
We are the changemakers. We want to create a safe space where creativity can be unleashed, and talent can be celebrated. Join us in our quest to make sure everyone is treated fairly and respectfully. Together, we can make a difference.
Supporting MICA in its Mission to Support Artist M/others
Join the movement for #ArtforAll and support MICA in breaking down gender disparities and creating space for underrepresented voices in the art world.
Together, we can make a difference by providing opportunities for artists often overlooked in the mainstream art industry. Every person, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability, should have the chance to pursue their creative passions and showcase their work.
Donating to MICA supports a more inclusive and fair art community. Let’s unite to amplify different perspectives and experiences and create a brighter future for all artists.
Unequal Representation: Women of Color Excluded from Art Scene
The discrepancy in diversity within the art industry is staggering. According to a recent study, out of 1,300 artists showcased through 45 top commercial galleries in NYC, only 5.6% were women of color, compared to 70% of male artists. This is even though women of color represent 17% of the U.S. workforce. These statistics are a call to action for change.
It is our responsibility to recognize that systemic inequalities still occur in the art industry and take action to rectify them. We create a more equitable and thriving art culture by generating awareness, amplifying the voices of underrepresented artists, and supporting diverse creatives.
