The Independent Artists Coalition is dedicated to creating pathways for a sustainable and stable livelihood among independent artists, contractual artistic workers, and teaching artists in Baltimore City and the state of Maryland as a whole.

Some of us pursue our creative practice alongside another job that pays our bills, while some of us derive all or the majority of our income from our work as artists. Some of us are represented by managers, while many of us have been the only ones advocating for ourselves in our dealings with organizations, institutions and venues.

Regardless of our individual situation, we recognize the need to stand together for a set of community standards to address expectations for compensation, payment schedule, and communication in the contracting of work from local artists. We seek to solidify clear agreement on these standards between artists and host organizations. We recognize that raising these standards will need to move in tandem with improving the management of arts funding at both local and state levels. At the most fundamental level, we recognize our importance as builders of local culture. We stand for respect in the contracting of artists, as we advocate for income stability for all.

Communication Standards:

-A payment schedule must be communicated and agreed upon before work begins.

-Requirements for artists to submit documents such as invoices, W9, and any contract necessary for payment shall be made known in written communication to the artist(s) at least 2 weeks before the job begins.

-Any missing documentation that could delay payment must be communicated to the artist prior to beginning work.

-Inquiries from an artist about the status of a payment should be answered in a timely manner, with respect for the urgency of the situation, and with full transparency surrounding any factors that may be creating a delay.

Payment Schedule For Contracted Work Through An Organization:

-Every effort will be made to see that an artist is paid on the day of their work, or according to the established payment schedule.

-Host organization will make known to the artist when all documents need to be received in order for the artist to be paid by the date that the job is done. This should be communicated at least 5 days prior to the deadline.

-If payment to an artist cannot happen on the day of their work due to an administrative pay cycle, the anticipated date of payment (or general window) must be communicated to the artist at least 2 weeks before the job begins.

-Payment to artists must not be sent any later than 2 weeks after the job has been done, if all documentation has been received beforehand.

-Payments sent more than a month after an agreed payment deadline are required to include a late fee equal to 25% of the original amount after month one, 30% after month two, 40% after month three, and 50% for any payment sent more than four months after the agreed payment date. This assumes that the artist submitted all required paperwork prior to beginning contracted work.

-For contracted work that involves an investment of time and money by the artist prior to a performance, exhibition, workshop, or period of time for which the artist is scheduled, a down payment of 50% may reasonably be requested by the artist as a condition of their agreement to the contract.

Performing Artist Compensation Standards For Contracted Work Through An Organization:

-No less than $150 for an individual artist to perform as part of a group that is scheduled beforehand.

-$500 to book a solo performer or teaching artist for a performance or workshop is a reasonable expectation that should be kept in mind as a starting point for discussion with the artist. Individuals may choose to price their work above or below this point, depending upon the situation.

For Artists Working In Academic Settings As Contingent Or Hourly Employees - this applies to artists employed in a continuing capacity at academic institutions as classroom technicians, dance accompanists, music/art therapists, etc.:

-Setting the minimum standard pay at $40/hour. $50/hour is a common standard in other major East Coast cities such as New York. If Baltimore wishes to retain artists to support our schools, these standards must be raised.

-First paychecks for academic year or semester-based contracts must be available by direct deposit (or preferred method of payment) no more than 2 weeks after work begins. This requires that onboarding be done in a timely manner ahead of the start of the semester.

Compensation Standards For Work At Small Venues:

-If artist compensation is agreed to be a percentage of revenue from door money and bar sales at an event, the venue must send payment to the artist within 3 business days following the event, with a settlement sheet detailing the total bar / door revenue and artist cut.

Summary:

As a coalition of independent artists, we call on our local and state governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, cultural institutions, local venues, public school systems, and all who benefit from the contributions of our creative ambassadorship and improvements to the quality of life, to recognize the importance of supporting local artists. We must raise the standards of respect that are granted to our multi-faceted creative professions. We are willing to stand together to say that basic standards of fairness, clear communication, and accountability need to be upheld as a condition of our agreement to paid work.