Why do people underpay artists?

People often underpay artists for their work. There are several reasons this happens, including lack of understanding of the value of art, the perception that art is not “real” work, and taking advantage of starving artists. Underpaying artists devalues their skills and craft, and makes it difficult for them to make a living solely through their art. This is an important issue to examine so that artists can be properly compensated for their creative talents.

Lack of Understanding of Art’s Value

Many people do not fully understand the value that art provides. They may see art as simply a decorative object, rather than recognizing the skill, time, and effort that went into creating it. Some key points about the value of art include:

Artistic talent is rare and unique. Not everyone has the innate creative abilities and technical skills to produce great works of art.

It takes years of practice, training, and honing skills to become an accomplished artist. Artists invest heavily in their education and career development.
Producing quality artwork involves countless hours of labor. From conceptualizing, to experimenting, to revising and perfecting, art requires immense time and dedication.
Materials needed for art can be quite expensive. Paints, brushes, canvases, metals, stone, and glass – artists must purchase quality supplies to bring their visions to life.

Galleries, shows, and competitions involve fees to display and promote finished works of art.
Art has cultural, social, personal, and even monetary value. It captures ideas, expresses emotions, beautifies spaces, and sometimes appreciates over time.

When people do not consider everything that goes into creating a piece of art, it can seem easy or trivial. This lack of understanding leads them to undervalue artwork and therefore underpay for it. Educating people on everything involved in the artistic process could help combat this issue.

Perception Art is Not “Real” Work

There is also a perception among some that being an artist is not considered a “real” job. People may think of artists as hobbyists or believe that artists do what they do strictly for enjoyment rather than as serious work. However, being a professional artist requires just as much time, effort, and commitment as any other career. Some key points on art as legitimate work include:

Being an artist is an actual profession and way to make a living. Artists work, often quite tirelessly, to develop their portfolios and promote themselves.
Making art involves manual labor, technical skills, and business operations. From working with materials, to marketing efforts, it requires real work.

Artists have extensive training and developed expertise. Attending art school, apprenticeships, and continual practice provide necessary education.
Producing quality art consistently takes great discipline and time management. Long hours are spent in the studio perfecting pieces.
Artists must work around rejection and criticism frequently. Persisting through setbacks and challenges takes commitment and resilience.

Financial pressures and instability are common for artists. Inconsistent income and lack of benefits make art a difficult yet dedicated career path.

When people assume art is just a casual pastime, they undervalue the labor involved. Recognizing art as professional and important work could help boost proper artist compensation.

Taking Advantage of Starving Artists

The stereotype of the “starving artist” leads some people to take advantage of those desperate for income from their art. Artists early in their careers often struggle financially and may price work very low or accept bad deals, just to try earning something. Some key points around this issue include:

Emerging artists agree to low prices hoping exposure will lead to future sales. However, this sets unrealistic price expectations with buyers.
Artists will sometimes relinquish rights to their work for quick cash flow. This can prevent them from earning what the work is worth long-term.
New artists lack bargaining power and business experience. Without representation or contacts, they cannot advocate well for themselves.

Patrons will leverage their power over starving artists. They may demand extra revisions or rush orders knowing artists need the money.
Young artists get stuck undervaluing themselves. Even as skills improve, raising prices feels impossible with limited industry clout.
Creatives should not face a choice between honing their craft or paying basic bills. But financial pressures can force those decisions.

This imbalance of power often results in artists selling themselves short just to get by. Reasonable compensation should not require Artists having to compromise their principles or financial security.

Damaging Effects on Artists

Being underpaid for artwork can have very damaging effects on artists professionally, financially, and emotionally. Some of the key impacts include:

Creates feelings of being under-appreciated and undervalued. Diminishes morale when skills and effort are not recognized.

Makes it challenging to reinvest in art career. Less income means fewer resources for supplies, training, promotions, etc.
Forces artists to take side jobs and cuts creative time. Financial needs supersede art, hindering portfolio development.
Contributes to burnout, stress, and poorer output. Exhaustion from overwork affects inspiration and performance.

Reduces ability to support themselves fully on art. May need to leave the field despite talent and passion.
Cuts into quality of life overall. Lower income from art impacts housing, healthcare, retirement savings, etc.

Undervaluing art can threaten artists’ careers and livelihoods. Fair compensation would provide the means for artists to sustainably devote themselves to their craft.

How Artists Can Advocate for Themselves

If artists want to combat underpayment, they must become stronger advocates for themselves and their value. Some tips include:

Research industry standards for pricing artwork based on medium, size, complexity, etc.
Build a professional portfolio website showing capabilities and accomplishments.

Refuse to work for free or hand over rights. Politely decline offers seeking those things.
Be confident stating prices and rates. Do not automatically discount or negotiate against yourself.
Require contracts for all commissions. Track hours worked and expenses for records.

Join professional artist organizations to expand networks and gain support.
Consider representation by an art agent or gallery to handle pricing negotiations.
Boost credentials with exhibitions, publications, awards to give bargaining power.

While establishing oneself as an artist takes time, valuing your worth from the start establishes healthy compensation expectations. Never be afraid to walk away from deals devaluing your work.

How Buyers Should Approach Compensating Artists

For their part, buyers need to educate themselves on fair artist compensation and make appropriate offers. Some guidelines include:

Research an artist’s skills, training, and experience level when considering pricing.

Factor in all the artist’s costs – materials, tools, studio space, time, etc.
Avoid asking for discounts, free work, or deferred payments. This undervalues the art.
Be flexible around an artist’s process. Avoid demanding rushed orders or unlimited revisions.

Pay artists a deposit upfront and remainder upon delivery, just as you would other professionals.
Negotiate reasonably and within industry standards. Consider the artist’s costs and time.
If the initial price seems high, provide context while making a counteroffer.

Remember you are paying for skill and labor. The goal is fair compensation, not the lowest price.

Doing due diligence around pricing and having reasonable expectations of artists will lead to transactions where both parties feel respected and valued.

How Society Can Better Support Artists

At a broader societal level, there are also things we can do to improve how artists are compensated for their work:

Purchase art and support local artists. Invest in the talent within your own community.
Promote art education and appreciation. Help people understand art’s value starting at a young age.
Reduce barriers to art careers. Improve access to training, materials, and exhibition spaces.

Fund grants, residencies, and commissions. These provide income and growth opportunities to artists.
Create cooperative galleries where artists receive higher commissions on sales.
Pass legislation to protect artists’ rights and income sources.

Respect creative careers. Encourage young people with artistic talents to confidently pursue art.
Hire artists for creative services and properly compensate them. Recognize art as professional work.

Cultural shifts around how we value art and artists can positively impact compensation over time. Supporting policies and institutions that empower artists is key.

Conclusion

Underpaying artists for their work is unfortunately still a prevalent issue that stems from lack of understanding, perceived value of art, and exploitative practices. However, with education on the skills and labor involved in art, reasonable negotiations, and societal changes, artists can be properly compensated for their creative contributions. Valuing artists helps support careers, promotes quality art, and builds an inspiring cultural legacy. It takes commitment from all parties – artists advocating for themselves, buyers being informed and fair, and broader society providing resources and opportunity. With focus and effort, we can move toward a future where artists are empowered to support themselves through their inspiring work and enrich our world.