2025 Action Manifesto
Call out systems, institutions and organisations that questions our social, geo-political and humanitarian beliefs. Those who threaten to remove funding are racist and complicit in genocide.
Only work in organisations that draws attention to the economic and social inequalities that exist within the arts and addresses this through a diverse workforce, artist and community engagement. This workforce should be diverse throughout the hierarchy of permenant job positions.
Commit to considering that all privileged individuals could be a threat within a workforce, and offer space for marginalised groups to share any of these experiences. When an allegation is made, the person is question is suspended and priority to safeguarding the rest of the workforce is upheld.
Call for the remuneration of cultural value in capital value through strike action or refusal of work instead of undercutting other workers and/or settling for low pay. This avocates to developing an environment of mutual respect between artist/art worker and institution. Work together in the commons, instead of in competition with other precarious art workers.
Address the purposed irresponsibility of the art market and demands an end of the refusal to pay fees for the work we’re asked to provide. Preparation, installation, presentation, consultation, exhibition, production and reproduction is all labour. Fees are confirmed in a signed contract. Not only in light of pandemics, contracts need to include cancellation clauses and fines for delayed or cancelled payment of fees. Monies delayed by anymore than 14 days of invoice receipt incurs an 10% daily fine until payment is made.
Work against the economic inequalities that exist to prevent the art worker’s ability to survive within the greater economy. Fees need to reflect precatious work and the effort to keep work going.
Believe that the promise of ‘exposure’ is a liability in a system that denies the value of labour. As an unpaid force within a more robust market that we, where others profit greater than we, recognise an inherent and historical exploitation -- demand compensation.
Question where funding is spent and how the funding is distributed amongst all staff. Where does the artist’s fees sit?
Commit to the environement, consider eco-conscious materials and the lowest carbon emmission options when traveling. Consider your materials when art handlers and the public will be in close proximity to it. Do not use toxic substances, do not use MDF or new plastics and reuse wood where possible, consider the distance these materials travel.
... TBC