Here's a second strong opinion against the practice. I'm the director
of a small college museum. Two galleries, our community gallery and our
contemporary art gallery, host shows by local artists and
national/international artists. Although a previous curator, who was an
artist, gave honoraria to artists for being in a show, it is not our
current policy. We do, however, reimburse artists for travel if they
are delivering work, and we give them honoraria if they are willing to
give a talk, critique a class or do a residency. However, because our
budget is extremely small, we also try to get the artists to give the
talks for free. Artists do need money, but many of them are also happy
to participate for free because showing in a museum is a great resume
builder, as is giving a talk or critiqueing a class at a college.
Sincerely, Fiona Dejardin
Donald Myers wrote:
> Dear Rusty (I hope you don't mind my being informal),
>
> Thanks so much for your reply. I'm with you, and am under pressure
> from studio faculty who were used to giving honoraria and who have a
> history of having been offered them from other institutions. Having
> your strong opinion is very helpful.
>
> Thanks again.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Don Myers
>
>
> On Sep 21, 2005, at 8:17 AM, Rusty Baker wrote:
>
>> Our answer to this one is no. We are a small museum with four
>> galleries,
>> one of which is a regional, contemporary, member artist space with sales
>> policies.
>>
>> The benefits to the artist who is invited to exhibit in a museum
>> setting are
>> numerous, but compensation sort of fouls the water. I can see sometimes
>> reimbursing artists for expenses, especially if they are doing
>> site-specific
>> work just for you. But I'd want receipts. Ethically, I think if you
>> did it
>> for one, you'd have to do it for all, and that would be fiscally
>> disasterous, at least for us. So I hear you on that one.
>>
>> Rusty Baker
>> Susquehanna Art Museum
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Donald Myers" <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2005 5:25 PM
>> Subject: [MUSEUM-L] honoraria for artists whose works are on exhibit
>>
>>
>>> Dear Colleagues,
>>>
>>> I am seeking information regarding whether or not individual museums or
>>> galleries (especially smaller ones) offer honoraria to artists simply
>>> for their agreement to exhibit their works at said museums or galleries
>>> (and not for giving lectures or talks, or to cover costs of shipping,
>>> publicity, etc.). I feel fiscally and ethically challenged by such a
>>> practice (although I know it is sometimes done) and would like to know
>>> if others in the field have comments that might be of use.
>>>
>>> Thank you.
>>>
>>> Don Myers
>>>
>>> Donald Myers
>>> Director
>>> Hillstrom Museum of Art
>>> Gustavus Adolphus College
>>> 800 West College Avenue
>>> Saint Peter, Minnesota 56082
>>>
>>> (507) 933-7171
>>> (507) 933-7205 fax
>>>
>>> =========================================================
>>> Important Subscriber Information:
>>>
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>>
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>
> Donald Myers
> Director
> Hillstrom Museum of Art
> Gustavus Adolphus College
> 800 West College Avenue
> Saint Peter, Minnesota 56082
>
> (507) 933-7171
> (507) 933-7205 fax
>
> =========================================================
> Important Subscriber Information:
>
> The Museum-L FAQ file is located at
> http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed
> information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail
> message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message
> should read "help" (without the quotes).
>
> If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message
> to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read
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=========================================================
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