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For over 26% of those responding, the business of American Indian Art is only a part
time endeavor with income being supplemented by other occupations. Very typically, an
enterprise consists of only the proprietor, with extra help coming from a family member.
This is exactly the same level as the 2011 Survey.
50% of the respondents report having more than two employees, with just 20% reporting
having 5 or more employees. Employment was up during 2011.
Number of Employees
2011 Employees
2010 Employees
2+
50%
41%
5+
20%
18%
An Aging Industry
Over 25% of the reporting businesses have been in business for over 30 years, and over
76% have been in business for 11 years or more. Only 3% of those reporting entered the
industry during the past two years.
Years In Business
2012
2011
-2 Years
3%
4%
11+ Years
76%
73%
Over 30 Years
25%
30%
A Positive Economic Outlook and Thoughts About Federal Government Support
Most in the American Indian Arts business are optimistic about the future. Over 68% of
respondents feel that their business will grow during 2012, even though respondents were
not overly optimistic about overall industry growth, as describe above.
Yet over 68% report that they will not be adding employees, even if growth is significant.
(This is in significant contrast to 2011 where 84% of respondents indicated employment
will not grow.)
At the same time, only 5% of respondents feel that the federal government has a positive
and supportive attitude toward the support of the American Indian Art business, or of
small business in general while 40% believe that the federal government is not supportive
of the industry. Nearly half of the respondents have no feeling one way or another on the
subject.