Our mission:
Care for artist mothers.
The First Ten, is an arts program devoted to mid-career artists who are mothers offering professional services, community, and general care at a time of great transition.
Why The First Ten?
The inequality we speak of is represented by statistics stated in various reports such as How Not To Exclude Artist Mothers (and Other Parents) by Hettie Judah and The Women Artists Market Report 2023 by Casey Lesser for Artsy. Below are some eye-opening numbers.
In 2022 there was $11 Billion dollars of art sold at auction and only 9.3% ($1 Billion) was created by women artists.
There are only 36 (3.6%) unique women represented in the top 1,000 auction sales in 2019.
A woman artist loses 4% of their hourly wage for every child while a father sees a 6% increase.*
*University of Massachusetts Amherst studyHint of Progress
But More Needed
Based on Artsy Market Recap 2023
Only 3 of the top 50 most expensive works sold in 2023 were by women. However when narrowing this data down to the ultra-contemporary market – works by artists born after 1975– where 21 out of 50 works sold were by women and 34 out of 50 works sold were by women born after 1985, we see a hint of progress.
Top 50 Auction Results
Gender Breakdown in 2023
Women pioneers of the 20th century gained attention in museum surveys and auction prices. However the top ten auction sales of late women artists of the 20th century in 2022 added up to $194 million while that same year a new Andy Warhol auction record was set at $195. One Warhol vs. ten works by women artists.