“We work with artists in different ways but we always pay them. It would be inconceivable for us not to do so… A minimum fee is probably about £1,000 and a commissioning fee might go as high as £10,000…” Modern Art Oxford
“The key thing is time and in order to have that time, artists need to be paid. That really does transform the opportunity for artists.” The Showroom
Modern Art Oxford and London’s The Showroom are two of the gallery case studies featured in a-n’s latest evidence-gathering report published in support of the Paying Artists campaign.
Paying Artists Case Studies Overview: Transparency in Action deconstructs case studies from nine galleries. Originally compiled in 2014 as part of Paying Artists campaign evidence to show how some publicly-funded organisations are already implementing best practice when it comes to artists’ pay and terms of engagement, the research also highlights emerging themes.
It is hoped that the new publication will be useful for galleries wishing to develop their own fair pay policies.
Openness and integrity
The publication uses evidence gathered between May-November last year, from organisations that provide high-quality arts experiences for the public. The case studies show that it is possible to do this while also communicating to artists and the arts-interested public, with openness and integrity, the artistic ambition and approach of the exhibiting venue and its financial terms for artists.
Each study clearly demonstrates what good practice when working with artists looks like, setting this within each organisation’s overall artistic ambitions and audience development policies, and the expectations of public funding.
Representing a broad range of organisations, from artist-led galleries to museums and galleries with an international profile, these case studies offer positive and practical role models for the sector as a whole.
The nine organisations featured in the case studies are: The Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA), Glasgow; The Collection, Lincoln; Fabrica, Brighton; The Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh; g39, Cardiff; Impressions Gallery, Bradford; Modern Art Oxford, Oxford; The Showroom, London; Whitstable Biennial, Whitstable.
“Paying artists helps to ensure equality of opportunity for artists, however they are developing their career, and helps to ensure the widest possible range of art for audiences.” Fruitmarket Gallery
Paying Artists Case Studies Overview: Transparency in Action – The report is part of a body of research and reports feeding into the Paying Artists campaign to secure payment for artists who exhibit in publicly-funded galleries.
More on a-n.co.uk:
Paying Artists: regional advocates need you!
London Cultural Strategy Group backs Paying Artists campaign
