SKILLS EXCHANGE.
Let's make sure we're on the same page.
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Skills sharing isn’t
“Can you teach me how to do one of your skills, free of charge?”
That’s not an exchange.
Skills sharing isn’t
“Can you share a skill you usually monetise on this project for a credit?”
That’s not an exchange.
Skills Sharing is
I have a skill I usually monetise that would benefit you and your project or growth.
You have a skill that would benefit me and mine.
We can give each other expertise and time in-kind, respectful to our capacities and schedules.
working out the details of an exchange
working out the details of an exchange
Let's take this exchange as an example.
A director has been writing a script and it's very new. A writer is looking to do a workshop of their new play and needs a director for it.
The director agrees to direct the workshop in exchange for written feedback of their work from the writer.
The director's weekly rate, according to ITC Rates, is £572. This makes their day rate - working a five day week - £114.40. This is £14.30 per hour, if working an 8-hour day.
The writer charges £30 for a script report of under 10 pages. This could take anything from one to three hours to complete (though we'd suggest working on Real Living Wage as a minimum if you don't know what to charge.)
If you charge £30 for a skill in a professional context, expect to receive an offering of either the equivalent time or fee in return.
So - the writer would complete a script report worth £30, and the director would be expected to direct a workshop lasting around two hours as a fair exchange of time, fees and skills.
If the script was longer than 10 pages, the director would be expected to work for the number of hours equivalent to the writer's rates.
For this model of exchange to work between artists, you have to be honest about your capacity to give and what you expect to receive. We advise getting the details of the exchange in writing via email, setting realistic timelines and deadlines, and checking in with each other on a regular basis.
avoiding exploitation
avoiding exploitation
We know that, at the end of the day, this is still a model in which artists are providing a service and not receiving a wage for it.
This model is not designed for those with funding to withhold payment from artists or get labour cheap. Art is work and work is not free.
This model is designed for artists without funding to continue to make work, connect with their peers, develop their practices and receive something meaningful in spite of the lack of funding. This model is for those who find themselves caught between "we either do it funded or we don't do it at all" and not doing it at all is not an option.
It is worthwhile for artists to set their own rates so you can break down a fair exchange bases on finances and time.
We expect artists, companies and organisations requesting to work on a Skills Exchange basis to be in the early or emerging stages of their career.
If the project is a profit share, we'd ask for a share proportionate to our contributions.
We expect artists, companies and organisations we work with in a mid- or established career stage to pay us fair, industry-standard rates for our work.
If the project is not funded, we will consider working on a Skills Exchange basis should the exchange offered be beneficial to our community and our mission.
RESPECT OTHER ARTISTS.
BE GOOD TO EACH OTHER.
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