Charge
shifted culture and policy to compensate artists’ work
2013-2016
Charge, 2014-2016, an overview video of 3 convenings for artists as workers, co-organized with Jennie Ash and presented at Art League Houston
Charge was a series of 3 convenings co-organize with Jennie Ash and hosted by Art League Houston to:
platform artist led alternative models of sustainability
advocate for equitable compensation for artists
consider our work in the larger economy
Houston Has a Labor History? story share and recording, Charge at PRH
Mel Chin mentorship session, Charge at PRH. He went around to each of 30 younger artists at the table answering their big art/life questions.
We did it by commissioning artists to present what is relevant to them.
Most of them shared via games, skill shares, direct actions, and many formats besides lectures.
We gave local and visiting artists equal pay and equal platform.
And we deliberately curated for gender, generational, and ethnic diversity.
We gave out a self-funded, vote-awarded grant.
Dykon Fagatron hosted Queer Dance Parties.
It had an impact on city policy.
Houston Arts Alliance began given more grant funding to organizations that pay artist fees.
Many organizations increased their honoraria.
Equitable payment of artists is becoming a standard at our arts institutions, not a “watch your back” provoking request on the shoulders of artists.
I am currently in final edits to publish story how things are different since Charge, how this might be approached in your city, too.
because everyone should get to add to the public imagination, not just those who can afford to work for free.
lots of people made this happen