A new study by The Artists Information Company (a-n) has led to proposals for a fresh approach to calculating the daily rate paid to freelance visual artists. The research, which involved interviewing artists and commissioners and a review of comparator industries, found that the current daily rate of £150, established in the Year of the Artist 2000, was widely treated as a benchmark rather than a minimum fee.
Arts Council England revised this base rate to £175 in February this year but many commissioners still use the old rate. a-n is championing the £175 daily rate and has commissioned an interactive toolkit to demonstrate how visual artists can take responsibility for calculating and making the case for their charges and fees. Further documentation to help cultural organisations and commissioners to calculate reasonable artist rates will be available shortly. w: http://www.a-n.co.uk
Published: 15-11-2004