Closing the Gap?

This chapter examines gender differences in work and income among Norwegian artists, drawing on four extensive quantitative studies conducted between 2006 and 2024. We analyse developments over time and identify key factors influencing gender disparities and discuss trends, underlying factors, and policy implications. The findings reveal persistent gender disparities across artistic professions, although notable progress has been made in some areas. While the proportion of women artists has increased and the gender income gap has narrowed, women still work fewer hours, impacting their earnings. Notably, formal education and public funding benefit women’s income more than men’s, suggesting cultural policy’s potential in promoting equality. These findings suggest that cultural policies – though often indirect in their effects – play a key role in promoting gender equality by supporting equitable income distribution.