when the revolution comes...

according to the national endowment for the arts, more americans identify their primary occupation as artist than as lawyer, doctor, police officer or farm worker. drawing from the census, the endowment has compiled what it bills as the first nationwide profile of professional artists in the 21st century - nearly two million americans said their primary employment was in jobs that the census defines as artists’ occupations.

overall, the median income that artists reported in 2005 was $34,800 — $42,000 for men and $27,300 for women. over all, artists make more than the national median income which is $30,100. artists are more highly educated, but earn less than other professionals with the same level of schooling and now represent 1.4 percent of the labor force, or nearly as many people as the active and reserve armed forces.

{image from vermeer, info from the new york times}