Four in ten adults suggest that children steer clear of the arts as a career, perceiving it as not being 'viable'.
A survey of 2,000 adults, including parents, revealed that 45% think the chances of success in this sector are too slim and that youngsters would struggle to find employment.
Sky Arts Awards call for unsung arts hero nominations
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Before participating in the study, 84% confessed they were unaware that 3.5 million people have careers in the arts. Furthermore, 28% had never contemplated the variety of roles available to the arts field, focusing solely on the artists.
Amongst those who were parents 36% have children showing an interest in arts careers, yet only 33% are supportive of their child's artistic aspirations, secretly hoping they will opt for a more conventional route eventually.
Phil Edgar-Jones, director of Sky Arts which commissioned the research for the launch of the new Sky Arts Awards, stated: "The opportunities available in the arts world are more considerable than you might think."
He explained that there are over 650 different roles available in the arts, from operating cameras to running the box office, creating sets, lighting stages, catering for the crew, and maintaining our most significant and essential arts venues.
He added: "We think these roles deserve some recognition too."
The research discovered that 79% believe there are many unsung heroes working hard behind the scenes, but 26% admitted they never consider who works makes a show happen.
Many of those spoken to had once dreamt of a career in the arts with 27% admitting they once toyed with the idea but a significant 43% were persuaded to reconsider and choose a different career path.
Phil Edgar-Jones remarked: "We believe that the arts are crucial to our society, our economy and our culture. But they have been devalued in recent years."
He further commented on the importance of the Sky Arts Awards in highlighting British talent, saying, "By shining a light on all the incredible British talent both in front of and behind the scenes as part of the Sky Arts Awards, we hope to play our part in reminding people why this is such a vital industry."
