Art & Money – Part 2: Non-Profit Arts Orgs & Executive Pay

Art & Money – Part 2: Non-Profit Arts Orgs & Executive Pay

Non-profit arts organizations often present themselves as champions of culture, diversity, and creativity. They raise funds through grants, donations, and sponsorships — always in the name of supporting artists and enriching communities.

But here’s the uncomfortable truth: in many cases, the executives running these organizations are paid six-figure salaries, while the artists at the heart of their programming receive little to nothing. The gap between administrative pay and artist compensation raises serious questions about priorities in the cultural sector.

The Money Flow

• Executives: In Canada, it’s common for CEOs and Artistic Directors of large arts non-profits to earn $100,000–$200,000+ per year.
• Artists: Many receive small honorariums, unpaid “exposure,” or must self-fund to participate in exhibitions, residencies, or events.
• Public Funds: Much of the money comes from taxpayers through government arts councils and municipal grants — meaning the public assumes these funds support creators, when in reality much goes to overhead.

Why It Matters

If the majority of resources go into administration rather than creation, the system ends up serving institutions more than artists. It also reinforces inequity: executives enjoy stable salaries, while artists juggle precarious work and side jobs just to survive.

Case in Point

Public records (through the CRA charity database) show that some non-profit arts leaders make salaries comparable to corporate managers. Meanwhile, artists involved in these very organizations often leave with only a small fee — or worse, unpaid recognition in a program booklet. The imbalance is striking.

What Should Change?

Some countries require minimum artist fees in publicly funded arts projects. In Canada, groups like CARFAC have set fee schedules, but enforcement is inconsistent. Should we push for stronger rules so that whenever taxpayer dollars are involved, artists receive guaranteed minimum compensation?

Questions to Reflect On

• Should there be salary caps for executives in arts non-profits?
• Would you support legislation requiring minimum artist fees tied to public grants?
• How can communities hold arts organizations accountable for how they spend money?

This is Part 2 of our Art & Money series. Next time, we’ll dig into The Grant Game — the complicated, competitive world that decides which artists get funding, and which are left behind.