What is the Workforce Survey?

It’s an online survey that takes about 10 minutes to complete. We’re finding out about who is working in the sector (demographics and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion data) and what it’s like to work in the sector (pay and conditions etc.). Note, board members are only asked to complete a short first section on demographics / EDI data.)

Changing the scope of research into the arts workforce

In this new survey we are gathering evidence about much more than who works in the sector. We’re asking about the things that matter to people: pay and conditions, routes into employment, career progression. We want to know how you feel about being an arts worker.

What’s different?

In the past, organisations answered EDI questions on behalf of their employees and board members which meant the quality of responses was variable. From now on, the survey will be forwarded to every individual to answer directly – so each recipient only answers for themselves.

What’s the point?

The demographics and EDI data help us understand issues like under-represented groups or career progression. Questions on what it’s like to work in the sector (pay, conditions, hours, etc.) will enable us to create a picture – for the first time in NI – of the working conditions for employees.

Who is it for?

Currently, (3-25 Sept 2026), it is for employees and board members of organisations that currently receive Annual Funding from the Arts Council of NI. We will ask other ACNI-funded organisations later. A survey for freelancers is also planned for next year.

Is it voluntary?

Yes, it is voluntary, but your response will help us – thrive – to evidence who is working in the arts sector and what it is like to work in the sector. Your voice matters. This evidence will be presented to policy makers and statutory bodies.

Will it be asking personal stuff?

Yes, some. It’s a statutory requirement for ACNI to report on EDI characteristics of grant recipients – so that’s why we’re asking. It’s also why the survey is anonymised. But it is voluntary – so you can select ‘Prefer not to say’ at any point if you want to.

Who sees the data?

The survey is anonymised. You will not be asked your name or which organisation you are connected to. This means your survey response is not linked in any way to you or your organisation. Your response (and everyone else’s) is then stored securely by Survey Monkey (the ‘Data Processor’).

The individual responses (‘raw data’) are cleaned and aggregated by thrive’s Insights Manager (the ‘Data Controller’). This means that one person at thrive will be able to view each individual anonymised response in its entirety but note that she will still not know your name or organisation. Nobody else at all will be able to see your whole response. This means you cannot be identified.

The aggregated (put into one big pot) responses will then be analysed by the team at thrive. We will write a report drawing conclusions from the aggregated data and share this publicly on our website.

We will give the Arts Council the aggregated EDI data that we collect to enable them to fulfil their statutory duty to report on EDI. Arts Council will not receive any individual responses, which means that they won’t know who took the survey or what organisation the data came from.

How will the data be stored?

The data is stored safely by Survey Monkey. You can read about Survey Monkey’s data processing security here. You can see our (thrive’s) Privacy Policy here.

What do you do with the data?

We analyse it! E.g. X% of employees are over the age of Y, or P% said they regularly work more than their contracted hours. Our findings may refer to data ‘cuts’ e.g. “employees over the age of X were more likely to report experiencing Y”, but it will not be possible to identify any individual or organisation – by either specific reference or by deduction.

Will the findings be made public?

Yes – but only the aggregated data i.e. the big picture not specific organisations. This evidence will be presented to policy makers and statutory bodies. We will also share our findings publicly on our website and through our events and publications in 2027.

Frequently Asked Questions – about completing the survey

What if I’m employed by more than one organisation?

For anyone who has more than one employer, please complete the survey relating to the employer who provides the largest source of income only.

What if I’m employed by one organisation and on the board of another?

For anyone who is an employee and also a board member of another arts organisation, please complete the survey twice – each time in your position relating to the organisation that sent you the link. (NB board members only complete the short demographics section of the survey.)

What’s the difference between being an employee and a freelancer?

An employee is on the PAYE payroll with tax and national insurance deducted from your salary or wages before you receive it. A freelancer is responsible for paying their own tax and national insurance themselves.

What if I work for an all-island organisation?

The survey is only for people employed by arts organisations that have a distinct local entity in Northern Ireland. In this instance, only the employees of the NI entity should respond. If you are not sure, please ask us.

What if I work in the arts sector but for an organisation that is not primarily an arts organisation?

The survey is only for people working in the arts sector so in this instance, only the employees with a distinct arts function should complete the survey.

Questions

If you’ve any queries or concerns, please contact Verity@wewillthrive.co.uk