Project Budgets
Artist Fees
How do you want to pay the artist(s) in this project? A few things to consider:
- Do you want to pay the artist an hourly wage?
- Do you want to offer a lump sum or honorarium?
- What do professional artists usually get paid?
- What do artists working as art facilitators in Manitoba usually get paid?
If you choose to pay an artist by the hour, you cannot pay less than
In many short-term community projects, organizers choose to pay an artist a fee, and the artist remains an independent worker. This means they agree to the hourly wage, and they are in charge of their own deductions when completing their yearly income tax. Theatre schools such as Manitoba Theatre for Young People and Prairie Theatre Exchange School work this way.
You may decide you would like to pay an artist more than minimum wage for their work. In Winnipeg, community art facilitators currently earn between $15 and 20 per hour to facilitate a workshop. In community theatre, facilitators make between $15 and $40 per hour to facilitate a workshop. People working as visual art facili- tators often get paid for setting up and cleaning up space. Independent theatre facilitators often only get paid for their time in the workshop or classroom and are not paid planning or travel fees.
Another excellent source when researching artist fees is their professional affiliations. For more information on visual art fees, visit Canadian Artists Representation (CARFAC) for information on their current fee schedule.
Visit this website if you are working with a theatre or film artist who is a member of Canadian Actors’ Equity. While you can hire an Equity actor to teach a workshop and not pay Equity rates, there are special procedures if an Equity member performs in public or on video or film.
There are many arts organizations in Manitoba that work on short-term projects with artists as facilitators. Call an organization within the discipline you will work with and ask what the average fees are.
Art Supplies
Your project will need supplies. That may be as simple as paper and pens or it might be many expensive and hard-to-find materials. Buy the best art supplies you can afford. It makes a difference to the artists, the participants and the quality of art that’s produced. The difference between inviting someone to paint with inexpensive paints they have used before and a set of high-quality paints can be what gets people to participate.
When budgeting for art supplies, visit or call the business you will purchase supplies from and get the actual cost. Multiply that cost by the number of expected participants and number of weeks using those materials. Some materials in dance or theatre projects are one-time expenses that will be used for the duration of the project. Some items in visual art will need to be replenished every few sessions.
Before you buy art supplies, look for donations. First, try Winnipeg’s Arts Junktion. This is a warehouse of free art supplies that anyone can use. You can also ask community members and friends to make donations – it’s amazing how many people purchase supplies for painting, only to give it up months later. They are usually grateful to give their barely used paints, brushes, paper and easels to aspiring artists. In your
When budgeting for art supplies, visit or call the business you will purchase supplies from and get the actual cost. Multiply that cost by the number of expected participants and number of weeks using those materials. Some materials in dance or theatre projects are one-time expenses that will be used for the duration of the project. Some items in visual art will need to be replenished every few sessions.
Before you buy art supplies, look for donations. First, try Winnipeg’s Arts Junktion. This is a warehouse of free art supplies that anyone can use. You can also ask community members and friends to make donations – it’s amazing how many people purchase supplies for painting, only to give it up months later. They are usually grateful to give their barely used paints, brushes, paper and easels to aspiring artists. In your budget, you can predict how much will be donated.