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Artist Pay Project illustration by Zindork.
artist-pay-project

Artist $napshot: Springfield-based drag performer and multimedia artist

This 21-year-old artist in Missouri makes less than $500 a month

Artist Pay Project illustration by Zindork.
artist-pay-project

Artist $napshot: Peekskill-based dancer and choreographer

I've refused to work for free for a very long time, but I'll still sometimes work on projects that don't pay enough, because I just want to be in the studio dancing

Artist Pay Project illustration by Zindork
artist-pay-project

Artist $napshot: Lancaster County-based mural painter

This artist, who makes $13,000 a year, left a full time agency job to work independently

Image of dollar bill, camera, paint and paintbrushes over an outline of California.
artist-pay-project

Artist $napshot: L.A. and Berlin-based painter and photographer

How an artist splits his time between the U.S. and Europe while earning between $1,500 and $2,600 a month

Launching the Artist Pay Project

Read the first Artist Pay $napshots

Collaged image of paint brush, ceramic vase, and dollar bill over an outline of Illinois.
artist-pay-project

Artist $napshot: Chicago-based painter, sculptor, and curator

Right now, a lot of the work that I'm doing is unpaid and not tied to an organization

Collaged image of dollar bill, pointe shoes, and outline of Texas. Credit: Makeda Easter
artist-pay-project

Artist $napshot: Lubbock-based choreographer and educator

I feel like I'm right now in the most secure position that I could be in as an artist, because I'm a faculty member with tenure at a university

Collaged image of dollar bill, blank journal, and outline of Georgia. Credit: Makeda Easter
artist-pay-project

Artist $napshot: Lithonia-based poet and motivational speaker

This 55-year-old poet, spoken word artist, and motivational speaker makes $52,000 a year

Collaged image of a typewriter, dollar bill, and outline of California. Credit: Makeda Easter
artist-pay-project

Artist $napshot: L.A.-based poet and content creator

In the next installment of the Artist Pay Project, an artist who left their job at a nonprofit theater to focus full time on art and content creation

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