Sexism in contemporary art

Abstract

Sexism remains a pervasive issue in the art world, with female artists and gallery workers frequently facing discrimination in career progression, limited access to artistic spaces, and bias in art valuation. This paper presents two studies aimed at exploring and quantifying sexism in contemporary art. Study 1 employs a qualitative approach, using semi-structured interviews with artists and gallery workers to capture their experiences of sexism. Thematic analysis reveals five key themes: discrimination in career progression, limited access to artistic spaces, gender bias in art valuation, gendered experiences of mobbing, and the motherhood penalty. Study 2 introduces and validates the Sexism in Art Scale (SIAS), a 12-item measure designed to assess sexist attitudes in the art world. Confirmatory factor analysis confirms a unidimensional structure, with SIAS scores correlating significantly with hostile and benevolent sexism. Together, these studies highlight the ongoing challenges women face in the art world and underscore the need for both structural and cultural reforms to promote gender equity.