Makeda Easter - the art rebellion

Shoppers peruse the inside of a small shop filled with shelves and tables and other assorted items.

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$napshot of a creative reuse space

$1,300 on rent, and all staff make $24 an hour — the cost of running a creative space.

A photo of two people, on the left dressed in a yellow jumpsuit, person on the right in a tshirt and shorts standing in front of a shop painted blue.

artist-pay-project

$napshot: Columbus-based creative reuse shop and community space

the art rebellion spoke with Wallis about what it actually takes to run a shop and community space — the costs, the challenges, and what makes it worth it.

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Despair, hope, and art

As we approach the end of February, I can finally say it feels like a new year to me. 2026 has brought many questions and internal battles, and I’ve been struggling with the why of it all. The state of our world — rising authoritarianism, inequality, concurrent genocides, etc, etc,

An illustration of items including a brush made up of dollars, ballet slipper, camera on a black background.

artist-pay-project

Artist $napshot: Chicago-based painter and designer

A recent college grad, this artist is navigating the Chicago arts scene while working part-time as a substitute teacher.

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Back with a few updates

Last weekend, I had an amazing time as a vendor at Zine Fest Houston.

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Reflections from Expo Chicago

Working a hospitality gig at an art fair paid me much more than writing an article about it.

A few collaged images include a yellow camera, ballet slipper, and money bag

artist-pay-project

Artist $napshot: Chicago-based collage artist

This artist accumulated $100,000 in debt pursuing an MFA and a BA, and he's actively putting off repayment for as long as possible.

A woman with dark hair in a pink sweater hangs purple fabric over over a wooden frame.

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Sharing some new work

A behind the scenes look at the Artist Pay Project installation.

Colorful image with blue background and different images including yellow camera, pink ballet slipper and brown money ba

artist-pay-project

Artist $napshot: Chicago-based zine press operator and photographer

This artist is currently uninsured and has $2,000 in savings which they jokingly refer to as "root canal money."

I'm wearing a butterfly shirt with layered necklaces, smiling as I stand in front of a purple backdrop.

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$napshots from the installation

I’m wrapping up 2024 with a bang, the debut of Making It: $napshots from the Artist Pay Project, which opened last month at the University of Michigan.

artist-pay-project

Resource roundup: Your guide to fair pay in the arts

How organizations and policy reforms are paving the way for pay equity in the arts across the U.S.

Making It: Snapshots from the Artist Pay Project over a purple background with decorational scribbles.

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Artist Pay Project, the installation

I've been creating an immersive version of my reporting on artist pay.