Women In Art – Get the Facts
Despite decades of progress, female artists continue to face significant structural inequalities in the art world. Here are some of the key statistics that inform the Women in Art Prize’s mission.
Market Representation
- Women artists account for fewer than 14% of works sold at major auction houses globally
- The average price achieved for works by female artists remains significantly lower than for equivalent works by men
- Solo exhibitions by female artists still represent a minority in major public institutions
Gallery Representation
Studies consistently show that women are underrepresented on gallery rosters at every level — from commercial galleries to publicly funded institutions. This disparity is compounded for women of colour, disabled artists, and those from working-class backgrounds.
Why It Matters
Visibility drives opportunity. When female artists are seen — in galleries, in collections, in prizes — it signals to the next generation that a career in art is possible. The Women in Art Prize exists to accelerate this change: to discover, champion, and celebrate female artists at every stage of their career.
Together, we can reshape who gets to be seen.