Despite her years of training, impressive resume and credibility as the founder of San Francisco Bellydance Theater, she often finds herself turning down invitations to dance for a few wrinkled dollar bills.
Friday, July 12, 2019
Why Do Employers Lowball Creatives? A New Study Has Answers
Despite her years of training, impressive resume and credibility as the founder of San Francisco Bellydance Theater, she often finds herself turning down invitations to dance for a few wrinkled dollar bills.
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People who plan on pursuing the arts as a legitimate career path are constantly questioned, mostly with a focus on how they will support themselves and earn a stable income. While this can be a concern for some artists, others feel confident in their ability to provide for themselves, while also working in a field that makes them happy. But, this does not mean artists are willing to feel be paid less just because they feel happy with the job they are in. Artists need to be earning must just as badly as everyone else in the work force, and happiness is not a substitute for a pay check. While most artists are exceptionally passionate about what they are doing or working on, and maybe are willing to work for a little less than what is fair because they love what they are doing, they still need fair compensation for the work they do. The culture we currently have of any type of art not being seen as a pursuable path is problematic itself, but to then deny payment (fair payment) to artists who work hard, are trained, and create something, is unfair and an horrendous slight to all working artists.
It's an extremely common stereotype that artists are overworked and struggle to pay bills, and a significant portion of youths grow up with that ingrained into their minds. It's extremely unfortunate that it's a stereotype that holds more than just a grain of truth. The way that most artists get jobs is set up so that it is extremely easy for the employer to take advantage of them with little to no repercussions, especially as most artists are also not part of a union. This is amplified by the fact that oftentimes artists are looked down upon for following their passions and respected less than a businessman might be. A lot of artists have even been conditioned to accept any work even though payment is ridiculously low, just because they feel the need to get exposure due to lack of money and resources to hold out for a better gig. It's something that really needs to be brought to the attention of more people, as it affects a huge amount of people and discourages others to even start pursuing the arts.
Anyone who plans on maintaining the arts as a reliable career path is constantly asked, how are they going to sustain themselves with a stable income. While this can be a concern for some professionals when others feel overconfident in their ability to provide for themselves. This does not mean professionals are willing to respond to being paid under what they should be getting just because they feel satisfied with the work they currently are working in. Professionals need to be earning just as severely as everyone else in the workforce. Satisfaction is not a replacement for a paycheck. Most professionals are particularly sensitive about what they are doing or working on and maybe are willing to work for a little less than what is fair because they love what they are doing. They still need the payment for the work they do. The experience we currently have of any type of art is not being seen as a pursuable path is questionable. Companies usually deny payment to artists who work hard, who are trained, or people who have creative minds. Companies are unfair and have a shocking slight to all professionals. - CM
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