The New York-based organization Working Artists and the Greater Economy (WAGE), which offers certifications to institutions based on how much their artists earn, will launch a new platform in the coming week. WAGE launched its program in 2014 and has certified nearly 150 nonprofits in its history. In addition to fixed bugs and programming updates, the new platform will increase its compensation standards in line with inflation.
To be certified, an institution must agree to pay basic fees to the artists it employs. WAGE establishes payment criteria for specific artist engagements, including solo and group exhibitions, conferences and screenings with in-person appearances. From July 1, these requirements will increase by 25% in all areas.
Fees vary depending on the size of the establishment. Nonprofits with annual operating expenses of less than $500,000 must meet “floor” fees; large institutions must pay “minimum” fees calculated on the basis of their operating budgets. Large institutions with operating budgets over $15,000,000 cannot pay more than a “maximum” rate set at the average employee salary.
“In practice, this means that if, for example, the Whitney Museum were WAGE-certified and hired Jeff Koons to organize another retrospective, with its operating expenses over $100 million, the museum would pay him no more than $60 000 dollars,” a statement read. the organization sent by e-mail.
The CUE Art Foundation in Chelsea has been certified since 2018. Executive Director Jinny Khanduja said Hyperallergic that WAGE is a useful tool for understanding artist payment standards in the art world ecosystem and compensation against nonprofit budgets.
“WAGE certification is an important and objective avenue for artists considering working with us,” said Jil Weinstock, executive director of Baxter St at the Camera Club of New York, who has been WAGE certified since 2015.
The upcoming WAGE website also includes a host of other information, including a timeline of WAGE’s advocacy work. These initiatives include a thrust 2016 for the new museum to become certified – it did not – and WAGE’s call 2019 for artists to hold back works from the Whitney Biennale in solidarity with underpaid staff. It also includes data visualizations, updates from the WAGENCY program (which helps artists advocate for higher compensation), a list of organizations that have been involved over the years, how WAGE developed its policies, and a fee calculator.
In addition, organizations with operating budgets over $250,000 will now have to pay between $100 and $700 to be certified.
WAGE lead organizer Lise Soskolne said Hyperallergic that the initial launch of the certification program “unknowingly” started a project that requires continuous scaling.
“Keeping pace with technology is demanding and expensive,” Soskolne continued. “But this rebuilding, which took over two years, was necessary to free up WAGE to resume the organizing work that we have always done.”
“This world of art presentation and artist compensation can be a strange environment – largely due to our desire for validation,” said artist Miha Sarani, who exposed last year at the University of Washington’s WAGE-certified Jacob Lawrence Gallery. “We often become blinded by the hunger and excitement of institutional recognition, and we may jump at opportunities without really understanding and realizing the full extent; including the financial pressure of such a commitment.
“The transportation costs alone can be prohibitive,” Sarani said, but added that they felt fairly compensated at Jacob Lawrence. “I would like to think that the last few years have shown us how essential the arts are to the well-being of humanity – and it would be wonderful to finally create an environment in which creators of art do not feel exploited in fair compensation is certainly a welcome step in this direction.
