W◼A◼G◼E◼ Working Artists and the Greater Economy

Welcome to wageforwork.com 4.0! The platform relaunched in June 2023 and with it came a series of guideline changes to W.A.G.E. Certification and WAGENCY:

Click the links or access the announcements on the W.A.G.E. Timeline

W.A.G.E. Fees Have Increased With Inflation: Starting July 1, 2023, W.A.G.E. minimum fees in all 15 fee categories increased by 25% to account for the cumulative rate of inflation since pricing was introduced in 2014. Please note that where applicable, rates were rounded to the nearest $5. Here are the new rates for Floor Fees in 15 Categories:

1.
Solo Exhibition $1,250
2.
Solo Project $750
3.
2-Person Exhibition $625
4.
Group Exhibition, 3 - 5 Artists $315
5.
Group Exhibition, 6+ Artists $190
6.
Performance of Existing Work $500
7.
Performance, Commission of New Work $1,000
8.
Solo Screening with In-Person Appearance $125
9.
Event with Presentations or Performances by 2 or More Participants $125
10.
Talk, Discussion, or Workshop with 2 or More Participants $125
11.
Existing Talk, Presentation or Reading $125
12.
Commissioned Talk or Presentation $190
13.
Existing Text for Publication $0.030 per word, $65 minimum fee
14.
Commissioned Text for Publication $0.30 per word
15.
Rate for Performers $30/hour or $150/day, whichever is higher

Please see use the Fee Calculator to view rates as they scale up. Click to here read more about each category and additional terms.

Recommended rates for Artist Assistants and Studio Managers have also increased:

Artist Assisting Starting Rate: $30 per hour minimum
Managerial Positions Starting Rate: $35 per hour minimum

Coming Soon

Contracts for Art Workers: In 2020, almost 50 years after Seth Siegelaub and Robert Projansky’s The Artist’s Reserved Rights Transfer and Sales Agreement was introduced in 1971, W.A.G.E. began drafting work agreements for art workers inspired in name and in function by this legendary legal document. W.A.G.E.’s agreements are intended to establish new industry standards for engaging the skilled labor of non-unionized freelance workers who facilitate the conception, fabrication, production, exhibition and circulation of art in the nonprofit and for-profit sectors.