AIR has announced it is commissioning new research into artists’ fees whilst continuing to explore the feasibility of an artists’ pensions scheme, as its major campaign areas for 2013.
Consultants DHA Communications has been commissioned to develop a body of evidence and the advocacy tools for an AIR campaign highlighting the need to pay artists for their vital contributions to arts and culture.
In January, all a-n+AIR members will be asked to contribute to a survey of their economic circumstances and to help identify those galleries that are recognising the value of artists in the fees and conditions they provide for exhibitions. The two-part strategy has been informed by campaigns by W.A.G.E in the US and Reko in Sweden.
Last year’s Big artists’ survey revealed that only 16% of artists were paying into a pension to support them in old age and retirement. AIR Council’s Joseph Young was commissioned earlier this year to look at how other membership bodies offer pension schemes and to assess the scope and feasibility of establishing a viable pension scheme that visual artists could afford to pay into.
Findings so far include:
Affordability is the key factor in whether artists save for a pension;
It is common within performing arts for unions to offerpension schemes;
The fact that 50% of artists are self-employed presents a significant challenge in creating an affordable scheme as they would be the sole contributor to their own savings.
Look out for more information on both campaigns in the New Year.
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More on a-n.co.uk:
An international view on artists’ fees
