Hello everyone!

I've come to write this blog a few times and either got distracted, held back or tried to order my thoughts...but here it is in all its glory. If you're bored already, realised its a bit lengthy and don't want to read on then the jist is....Expect To Be Paid.

I just spent the weekend in London visiting my best friend who I met in acting school in New York about 4 years ago. We both gave a lot of our time for free to work on projects for 'experience' or 'connections' or to 'further our career' and we chatted about this after dinner one evening. What we gleaned from this conversation (and many similar ones I've had in the last few months) is that most of the time, when we work for free we feel undervalued, exploited and rarely get the things we were promised as a 'reward' for our time.

Since I've moved away from acting and into arts adminstration I discovered that this phenomenon of working for free wasn't restricted to the 'acting world'. It spans nearly all art forms. (At this point I need to clarify that I absolutely mean working for free and not volunteering, placements or apprenticeships which definitely have added value.)

My friend and I discussed our 'rules' to taking unpaid work. Here are the basics that we both follow(ed):

• Don't work for a company or organisation where there is a budget available and you are the only one who isn't getting paid. (Eg. on a film if the camera guy and the editor is getting paid...why not the actors? If the curator is paid...why not the artist?)
• Only give your time when it is to work on a project you are passionate about (preferably knowing the majority of people) and again where no-one is getting paid.
• If you choose to work for free at the very least make sure you are reimbursed expenses and ask for refreshments too!
  

I also have to stress the importance of knowing your working rights. You are entitled to at least minimum wage for any work that you do. Have a look here for more.
There is also lots of really useful help and information on sites such as Visual Artists Ireland, Irish Equity, Musicians Union of Ireland and IMRO.

As an arts centre we are under a lot of pressure to provide programmes and opportunities and run activities for professional artists and the general public. It has been difficult for us to do that without programme funding and unfortunately when we say this to people a common response is "surely someone would do that for free."
Well, maybe. But we believe in paying people for their work. If we are trying to encourage excellence and professionalism then we have to behave exactly the way we would wish to be treated.

You don't have to follow my 'rules' or think they are right but I do think it is important that you have some guidelines set out for yourself to assist you to make the right decisions.
Respect your time. Be proud of your craft. Expect to be paid.

See you soon!

Carolyn