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Australian artists, starving and well-nourished: What can we learn from the prototypical protean career?

Bridgstock, Ruth S. (2005) Australian artists, starving and well-nourished: What can we learn from the prototypical protean career?. Australian Journal of Career Development 14(3):pp. 40-48.

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Abstract

Recent literature documents the demise of the traditional linear career and the rise of a new ‘protean’, ‘boundaryless’, ‘portfolio’ career, typified by do-it-yourself career management with a focus on security in ongoing employability rather than security in ongoing employment. This paper presents an overview of the key attributes of the new career, and argues that it is not an entirely new phenomenon. Individuals with careers in the well-established fields of fine and performing arts often fit into the ‘new careerist’ model, and as such they are an ideal group to target for future research into this new pattern of career. Employment/ career data for professional fine artists, performing artists and musicians in Australia is presented to support this claim. A discussion of the career meta-competencies and career/ life management skills essential to navigate the 21st century world of boundaryless work is presented, with specific reference to the professional artist in Australia, and recommendations for future research are made.

Item Type:Journal Article
RM Number:2006000563
Status:Published
Keywords:protean careers, boundaryless careers, portfolio careers, career development theory, career competencies, boundaryless career competencies, knowing competencies, arts careers, Australian artists, artists careers, musicians careers, actors careers, performing arts careers, creative arts careers, new careers, new careerist, knowledge age worker, professional artists, creative industries, arts employment data, artists employment, psychology of artists
Subjects:410000 The Arts
380000 Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences > 380100 Psychology > 380108 Industrial and Organisational Psychology
330000 Education > 330100 Education Studies > 330101 Educational Psychology
ID Code:1767
Deposited By:Bridgstock, Ruth
Deposited On:06 December 2005
Alternative Locations:http://www.acer.edu.au/ajcd/
Copyright Owner:Copyright 2005 ACER Press
Copyright Statement:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.