This study explores the characteristics of women and minority artists in 1980 in relation to the U.S. total artist population, other professional workers, and the total work force. Census data for 1980 are used to depict basic demographic characteristics of women and minority artists and to assess their relative economic status in terms of employment opportunities, earnings, and total available income. Chapter 1 summarizes the study, while chapter 2 provides a portrait of women artists in terms of numerical growth since the 1970 census and geographic distribution by artist occupation. Chapter 3 focuses on the economic well-being of women artists during 1979. Chapter 4 presents information about the basic characteristics of minority artists, and chapter 5 analyzes their employment and income profiles. Individual groups are identified as: (1) non-Hispanic Whites; (2) non-Hispanic Blacks; (3) Hispanics; and (4) persons of other races. Appendices include: (1) artists' occupational classification in the U.S. Census; (2) the states included in each of the U.S. Census' four geographic regions and nine divisions; and (3) race and ethnicity classification in the U.S. Census. Numerous tables and figures are included. (JHP)