NorbertHerbertFrank t1_iy6hmad wrote on November 29, 2022 at 2:36 AM

Reply to comment by soupdumpling1 in NYC Salary Transparency Law Exposes Art World's Lowest Wages by exgalactic

I work at a museum and NYC and don’t have a trust fund or allowance. Most of my colleagues fall into the same boat. You are incorrect

shutmywhoremouth t1_iy6jucx wrote on November 29, 2022 at 2:53 AM

Same. I've worked in the non profit arts and social services sectors for decades. While there are some trust fund folks, the majority of us scrimped, had roommates, lived check to check and developed side hustles until we burnt out and/or left the field.

SmellyAlpaca t1_iy88xwl wrote on November 29, 2022 at 2:18 PM

May I ask why you choose to work in this field? I mean that respectfully, sorry if the question sounds rude — it just seems like the pay and conditions are terrible. Especially when at the end you say many leave the field. What do you get out of it that makes you stay?

claushauler t1_iy8agxg wrote on November 29, 2022 at 2:30 PM

Getting to be around art and artists all day can really be a blast. It's genuinely interesting to see the process and if you're into it every day is like going to work in Disneyland. That said : the wages are often ridiculously poor and the hours long. It's great until you can't take it anymore.

shutmywhoremouth t1_iy8yjkh wrote on November 29, 2022 at 5:18 PM

It's a fair question and I appreciate the way you asked. I chose both the arts and social services because they are meaningful to me, I'm passionate about them, and the work is aligned with my values. However these fields are among those that are undervalued, under-resourced and therefore can be highly exploitative. I have a master's degree in social work that cost tens of thousands of dollars and four years of time and energy to get. Initially I didn't take too significant of a pay cut (I worked full time in commercial theater while pursuing my degree), but my earning trajectory was lowered overall.

I believe in people's right to quality and culturally affirming health and mental health care so I have stayed in the field. It's disheartening to realize that a lot of policy makers and organizational leaders don't share those beliefs or think it's okay to exploit workers and community members in the process. I think that's what drives a lot of people from the field. In my experience, even when people can/are willing to find ways to expand income or sustain a side hustle, it feels like an ongoing gut punch to be so undervalued and like your just a cog in an oppressive machine.

Sorry if that didn't completely answer your question. tldr: it's complicated and people have all kinds of reasons

SmellyAlpaca t1_iy93t6u wrote on November 29, 2022 at 5:53 PM

Thanks for the detailed answer. It’s a tough situation to be in — and not easy problems to solve. I don’t have anything helpful to say but I hope you all get more funding, and that you are paid what you’re worth!