Worker compensation is an ongoing concern of the artist-run milieu. A perception exists that employees of artist-run centres do not generally receive adequate compensation for their work. This perception is widespread in the community of organizations represented by the associations that have conducted this study. Many employees of these organizations perceive that their compensation is not in line with their qualifications and responsibilities. Furthermore, it has been proposed that compensation and working conditions in the artist-run milieu are inferior to those available for comparable positions in other sectors–and that this situation leads to high staff turnover. Yet in the absence of a comprehensive data concerning compensation levels across the country, it has been impossible to objectively validate these perceptions, nor to effectively address the problem of worker compensation though policy, advocacy or other means.

A study jointly produced by the: Artist-Run Centres and Collectives Conference (ARCA) Independent Media Arts Alliance (IMAA) October 2010.