Close up of the "Water is Life" mural on the corner of North First and East Fillmore streets | Nicole Mullen

Art is a universal language, but it influences each individual's life differently. There’s a different story behind each piece. With a diverse and rapidly growing  community in the state of Arizona, does the local art scene accurately reflect its residents as well as provide a sustainable career regardless of background?

“I think the intent of putting these subcommittees together was to gather a diverse group of voices that each bring their own backgrounds and understanding to the table,” said John Owens, a Phoenix Arts and Culture Subcommittee member. “It’s important to get something that's as reflective of the city's population as possible.” 

According to a report on Arizona’s artist demographics published by the Arizona Commision on the Arts, that the average age was 52.5 years old and 86% of Local Arts Agency employees are White. In the state of Arizona, the average age is 37.9 years old and 82% of Arizona residents are white.

While the demographics may be close, some artists said they feel that maintaining local culture should also be a priority.

“I think it is important because there's really a lack of representation and, you know, of people of color in general,'' said Edgar Fernandez, a local Indigenous artist. “I think a lot of the media and a lot of school history really whitewashes it in a way. Most of the stuff that I learned, I didn't learn from school, I had to learn on my own. I had to learn from elders, or how to learn from community gathering ceremonies. So I think that's important for me to continue to know that, you know, our culture is still alive, and we're not extinct, we're still here.”   

Fernandez has been part of many art projects commissioned in the city of Phoenix including the “Water is life Mural” on the corner of North First and East Fillmore streets.

Another local Indigenous artist, Jessie Yazzie, also shares a similar desire to reflect his background in his work but also notes the need for a stable income.

“My goal as an artist is to express my visual language in a way that would be able to support myself full time,” said Yazzie. “So I would love to be able to showcase my indigeneity and my creativity and my passion for art itself.”

Yazzie has done several projects around Downtown Phoenix including his “Triumph Over Tragedy” mural featured on Roosevelt Street.

With an estimated average cost of living in Arizona at $35,264 per year for one adult, according to the report the average salary for an arts education position was $52,421, $48,808 for a fulltime position at a museum or gallery, and $67,380 for full time position at a public art agency.

The overall average salary for an arts related career was about $66,027. While a livable wage, this number reflects the average of artists partnered and employed through agencies and not freelance artists.

It was also found in the report that while 72% of Local Arts Agency employees are Female, there’s a “$6,542 average discrepancy in favor of men.”