Exhibition Payment Guide

For artists and exhibiting organisations to work out fair payment to artists for exhibition fees

In this guide:

  • Introduction 

  • What is Exhibition Payment? 

  • Who is this guide for? 

  • Advice for artists 

  • Advice for organisations  

  • Exhibition Payment Framework – how to work out fees

 
Introduction 

This guidance is to help you find information, ask questions and work out fair payment for exhibiting artwork.  

We talked to artists, commissioners, Arts Council England, Creative Scotland and Arts Council of Wales to develop this guidance. While we can't cover all circumstances, the guide will help with a wide range of exhibiting situations. 

For specific guidance on fair exhibition payment in Northern Ireland, endorsed by Arts Council of Northern Ireland, please visit Visual Artists Ireland’s Payment Guidelines for Professional Visual Artists. 

 

What is Exhibition Payment? 

Exhibition Payment is money paid to artists to recognise their creative input and professional role in making exhibitions a success. It:  

  • is a fair and flexible way of supporting artists and promoting equality and diversity in the arts.  

  • helps arts organisations treat artists well and supports artists’ careers. 

  • ensures that the public gets to see a wide range of art, made by artists from a wide range of backgrounds. 

Framework categories
Category A

For new work you pay: £1,500

For existing work you pay: £750 

  • This is the biggest group of organisations.  

  • Includes galleries, studios and artist development spaces.  

  • Mostly based outside London. 

  • Typically run 6 or more exhibitions a year, though some are shorter or smaller events. 

  • Annual exhibition budgets: £50,000–£150,000. 

Category B 

For new work you pay: £2,000

For existing work you pay: £1,000 

  • Includes galleries, arts centres, studios, festivals and some arts development groups.  

  • 77% are outside London.  

  • Usually host 4–6 exhibitions in main spaces each year. 

  • Annual exhibition budgets: £150,000–£300,000. 

Category C

For new work you pay: £4,000

For existing work you pay: £2,000 

  • Mostly large galleries or multi-arts venues.  

  • 72% based outside London.  

  • Host 4 or more major exhibitions per year. 

  • Annual exhibition budgets: £300,000–£500,000. 

Category D 

For new work you pay: £6,000

For existing work you pay: £3,500 

  • A small group of major galleries and visual arts organisations.  

  • About a third are in London; the rest in other major cities. 

  • Run 6 or more large exhibitions each year, often several at once.  

  • Annual exhibition budgets: £500,000–£1 million+