Thesis
The benefits and disadvantages of part-time and contract work in arts and cultural organizations: are arts administrators doing enough?
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Sep 2022
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00001308
Abstract
In our current economic climate, the subject of the contingent workforce or gig economy is increasingly coming into question. Across industries, research has been done to identify why people choose such work while documenting the often unfair practices that these workers face. Nonprofit organizations are known to utilize part-time or contract workers and are often associated with providing low wages to paid employees, regardless of employment status. However, research on workers in these categories in an arts context is limited. This study was conducted by surveying part-time and contract workers at arts and cultural organizations using the Qualtrics platform to learn about their work experiences. Results were analyzed to identify what benefits or disadvantages they perceive to receive through their work and their motivations for seeking and accepting their positions. The results of the study confirmed the challenges that part-time and contract workers face by nature of their employment categories, such as a lack of benefits and unsatisfactory compensation, while also confirming certain advantages, like schedule flexibility. The results also raised concerns about additional challenges these workers face when combined with those of working for arts and cultural organizations, like high barriers of entry and a demanding work culture. However, more research is needed to explore this topic on a larger scale to identify if these experiences are felt across industry sub-sectors.
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Details
- Title
- The benefits and disadvantages of part-time and contract work in arts and cultural organizations
- Creators
- Allison Mosco
- Contributors
- Pamela Yau (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- v, 42 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Arts Administration; Arts and Entertainment Enterprise; Drexel University; Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design
- Other Identifier
- 991019104706504721