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A Model of Employment in the Arts
Author(s) -
Papandrea Franco,
Albon Robert
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
australian economic papers
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.351
H-Index - 15
eISSN - 1467-8454
pISSN - 0004-900X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-8454.2004.00230.x
Subject(s) - underemployment , wage , labour economics , the arts , economics , work (physics) , labour supply , sociology , art , visual arts , unemployment , macroeconomics , engineering , mechanical engineering
The behaviour of artists appears to be influenced by non‐pecuniary benefits that lead to employment choices inconsistent with traditional expectations of labour supply theory. The paper develops a model of employment in the arts with similarities to the Harris‐Todaro model. Seemingly paradoxical results arise. For example, the model illustrates how an increase in wage rates for non‐artistic activity may lead to a reduction in the amount of non‐artistic activity and a commensurate increase in the amount of time devoted to artistic endeavours. Additionally, the model illustrates how individual work preferences of artists can lead to substantial underemployment in the arts.