Curatorial Fee Schedule (as per CARFAC by Clayton Windatt)
PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE FEES ARE PRESENTED AS A MINIMUM STANDARD.

CURATOR'S FEES:

VISUAL ART CURATOR — general curating

● MINIMUM RATE - $37.50 per hour

FILM/VIDEO CURATOR — one-time screening/single program

● LOCAL - $150 (4 at $37.50 per hour total)
● REGIONAL - $300 (8 at $37.50 per hour total)
● NATIONAL - $750 (20 at $37.50 per hour total)
● QUÉBEC EVENT (international scale) - $1000 (27 at $37.50 per hour total)
● INTERNATIONAL - $1500 (40 at $37.50 per hour total)

NOTE: Amounts may be adjusted based on the preparation and research required. Travel, accommodation, and subsistence costs are extra. Conseil québécois des arts médiatiques has a fee schedule for Media Artists and Curators.

FULL DOCUMENT HERE

Why a curatorial fee schedule?

Standardization of Compensation: A fee schedule helps standardize the compensation for curatorial work, ensuring that curators are fairly paid for their expertise, time, and effort. This helps prevent underpayment and promotes equity in the field.
Transparency and Fairness: By providing clear guidelines on what fees are expected for different types of work (e.g., exhibition planning, research, writing, installation oversight), a fee schedule promotes transparency and fairness in financial dealings between curators and institutions or artists.
Budget Planning: Institutions, galleries, and artists can use the fee schedule to plan and allocate budgets for exhibitions. Knowing the standard rates for curatorial work helps in financial forecasting and resource allocation.
Professional Recognition: A fee schedule acknowledges the professional status of curators by formally recognizing the value of their work. It helps legitimize the profession and set expectations for both curators and those hiring them.
Negotiation Tool: For curators, a fee schedule serves as a reference point during contract negotiations. It provides a baseline that can be used to negotiate fees, ensuring that curators are compensated appropriately for their work.
Scope Definition: A detailed fee schedule often outlines the scope of work included in different fee categories, helping to clarify expectations and responsibilities. This can reduce misunderstandings or disputes over what services are included.
Consistency Across Projects: By adhering to a fee schedule, organizations can maintain consistency in their financial dealings with curators across different projects, which helps in maintaining good professional relationships.