Jim:  I understand the points you make regarding artists and their
exhibition fees, however, there is a public service aspect to museum
exhibitions.  Once museums start to pay for items to be shown in their
exhibits, the flood gates might break open and others will want to get on
the exhibit fee bandwagon, and there are plenty of museums that cannot
afford extra fees on top of their operating budgets.  Where would certain
museums be without artists?  Good question- but on the other hand, there
are plenty of artists who may not get quality exposure without museums.  I
think in many ways, the two go hand-in-hand.  I don't like the idea of
exhibit fees for artwork or objects.  The museum is providing an artist
(and the public) a valuable serivce by showcasing artwork and artifacts in
a serious environment.  That in itself could be worth something to the
artist down the road.

Indeed, if exhibition fees for artwork (or artifacts) proliferate,  pretty
soon, only the largest, best funded, and preeminent museums will be able to
afford quality exhibitions that include loaned items.

Arlyn Danielson

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From:   Jim O'Connor[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent:   Thursday, October 09, 1997 7:34 PM
To:     [log in to unmask]
Subject:        Re: Policy on paying artists to exhibit

I'm curious-why are museum professionals astonished that an artist might
want to be paid for the display of his/her work?  Does the museum agree not
to charge an entrance fee when the artist is not paid?  The museum has
expenses to meet, right?  The artist doesn't?  Who pays his/the artist's
rent?  health insurance? for materials, research?  The museum gives the
artist exposure?  Where would it be without artists? Needless to say
(maybe) is that the exhibition of contemporary art (and the livelihood of
its curators) depends entirely on the work product of artists.

I'm in complete sympathy with the dilemma faced by museum professionals who
read the dismal salary surveys, but those salaries normally come with
health insurance, vacation, sick time-perhaps even a sabbatical.  The next
time you're thinking about telling artists-not Rauschenberg or Stella, but
most of the rest-that they  should provide the content of your exhibition
for free, you might consider asking them exactly how much THEY made last
year. . . .
Jim O'Connor