chimaerabutt:

…regarding art for “exposure.”

Or rather, the problem that lately, people seem to see literally anything that isn’t direct cold hard cash for work given in a mocking light (as popularized by how “for exposure!” has almost become a meme at this point.)

Guys, I’m very glad to see so many people banding together to protect artists. Please, continue to protect young artists. It’s important. But sometimes, compensation doesn’t have to be actual money.

Compensation is the key, here. I’ve been compensated in trade form for everything from gift cards (sorta money) to eggs (definitely not money but very much edible!) And that’s ok. I still got paid for my time. It didn’t have to be in direct cash format. I would have bought eggs anyway, so if anything, that saved me a step and some gas money.

I saw a post earlier on my dash (and I can’t find it again, and don’t feel like scrolling in search of it now,) that was mocking a coffee shop that was offering gallery space in exchange for work they needed an artist to come do.

This is not some poor artist being scammed. This is not the equivalent of some lowlife trying to get you to do work for free because it’ll be “great exposure.” It isn’t. This is a trade. They are trading a service (the work they need an artist to do) for a service (free gallery space in their coffee shop.)

This is relatively common, at least in the area where I live. Independent coffee shops will often have a small gallery space where artists can display (and yes, sell!) their work. What’s also common is that these coffee shops don’t often make much money, and those gallery spaces aren’t free. Sometimes they’ll work with universities to provide free short term gallery space to promising students, but in said case, the university is typically paying for the space instead, and the coffee shop gets the added business boost of a bunch of hungry college students showing up to the gallery opening wanting espresso and scones. But giving someone a gallery space for free (rather than charging them) in exchange for another service?

That’s a trade. That isn’t the artist being ripped off, and that could be the start of a business relationship. It’s a relatively high visibility local space where the artist can put their work out there, possibly sell some of it, and otherwise become better known in the community. In short? It’s… providing the artist with exposure. Except. For real. Like. Advertising. And helping with sales.

Now, by no means should anyone settle for less than cash if that’s what they feel they need for the work they’re doing. If you don’t want to accept trades, don’t. It’s your work! You choose what to charge for it! ..but please guys, don’t fault artists who do trade one service for another, and definitely don’t discourage younger artists from trading services, either! That’s one of the EASIEST ways to get out there in the fine arts world, and making connections is key to having your work actually SELL later on down the line!!

Figured this was worth reblogging here.