Another thing is we're extrapolating small tidbits of news to the general population. Just because Frito-Lay workers are striking does not indicate any general trends. In order to deduce anything - we need to look at broader statistical data. There must be some name for this phenomenon where we hear a news story and we immediately generalize it.

Anecdotally, I know several friends (with arts background) that have found jobs now and really well paying ones (galleries). The arts business hasn't seen a boom like this before. There is so much cash in the economy, thanks to printing $18 trillion last year.