Frequently Asked Questions

What is ArtsPay NJ?

• ArtsPay NJ is a long-term project to build pay equity in the arts in our state. 

• 2023 was the first year of the project and includes compensation surveys for nonprofit organizations and individuals

• 2023 data offers a snapshot of current compensation levels in our sector. This data  reveals areas where we need to address inequity and will set a baseline to measure progress in future years

• This project is coordinated by the arts service organizations of New Jersey: ArtPride NJ, Arts Ed NJ, Dance New Jersey, New Jersey Theatre Alliance, New Jersey Association of Museums, and South Jersey Cultural Alliance. Each of these organizations are committing funds to support the project.

• This project is managed by Baker Richards, a UK-based arts research firm with a multi-year track record of researching pay within the arts sector of the United Kingdom.

Why is this project important to arts organizations and arts workers? 

• Inequitable pay structures, low pay, and lack of benefits contribute to people leaving the arts workforce, especially in states with high cost of living like New Jersey.

• Low compensation makes it difficult for people without other financial means such as family support or a high-earning partner to maintain a career in the arts, which creates a less diverse workforce. 

• Structural racism, sexism, ableism, and other systemic oppressions in the United States have created wage gaps in all sectors, including the arts. We must be able to see where those gaps exist in our sector to address them.

• Lack of public information about compensation in the arts makes it difficult for organizations to appropriately structure salaries and difficult for arts workers to effectively advocate for themselves. Transparency is the first step toward pay equity in our field. 

• Other existing arts compensation surveys focus on the national arts sector and don’t address the unique economic issues of New Jersey. Additionally, the results of other surveys are often only made available to executive leaders, those that participate in the survey, or those that pay for the information. The results of this survey will be available to all arts workers, arts organizations, funders, and the general public at no cost. 

What does “compensation” include?

• For the purpose of this project, compensation includes:  salary or fee, health benefits, retirement benefits, life insurance, vacation/PTO, parental leave, professional development funds, flexible work arrangements, and any other employee benefits offered by the organization.

Who participates in ArtsPay NJ?

• ArtsPay NJ consists of two different surveys. These surveys were deployed for the first time in 2023 to set a baseline, and we are looking to re-deploy on a set schedule to to measure change.

• One survey (~30 minutes) is filled out by an individual on behalf of a nonprofit arts organization for which the arts are the primary focus of their mission. They give compensation information for all job titles at the organization.

• One survey (~20 minutes) will be filled out by individual arts workers about their own experience. Each individual will report their own compensation information, demographics, and job satisfaction through a mix of multiple choice and open-ended questions.

  • All people who identify as arts administrators and artists in NJ are invited to complete this survey. 

  • We want to hear from full-time, part-time, and contract/freelance workers. 

  • Because this survey is focused on compensation, we do not collect data from volunteers or trustees.

Is it anonymous?

• Baker Richards, an arts research firm based in the UK, collects and analyzes the data. 

• All data is completely anonymous. No employer can see an individual’s survey responses. No one can see the data linked to the name of a participating organization.

• The data is released in two  forms:

• • A written report by Baker Richards, highlighting the major themes and learnings

  • A public dashboard where anyone can view trends filtered by job title, geographic region, organizational budget size, arts discipline and more.

Who has access to the results?

• The results are made available to the public at no cost. Baker Richards’ Report and a link to the public dashboard are available above and on the websites of the Arts Service Groups in New Jersey.

• You do not need not have participated in the survey to gain access to the results.

Why should I participate in ArtsPay NJ?

• You will help our entire sector move towards a more equitable and sustainable future

• The more organizations and individuals participate in the survey, the more accurate and full picture of our sector will emerge. 

• As an individual, you will learn how your compensation compares to the rest of the field, and gain data to advocate for yourself.

• If you are a leader of an organization, you will learn how your staff compensation compares with other organizations across the state, and be better equipped to competitively recruit, hire and retain employees.

Who is funding this work?

• In addition to the financial commitment of the arts service organizations, this project is made possible by generous funding from the Grunin Foundation, The Newark Museum of Art, an anonymous donor, and New Jersey State Council on the Arts.