Open Source is W.A.G.E. certified!

5/30/19

What is W.A.G.E.?
Working Artists and the Greater Economy (W.A.G.E) aims to establish sustainable economic relationships between artists and the institutions that contract their labor. W.A.G.E. Certification is a national program that publicly recognizes nonprofit arts organizations demonstrating a history of, and commitment to, voluntarily paying artist fees that meet their minimum payment standards.

Why is this important?
W.A.G.E. certification and the fair payment of artists is a goal that Open Source has been striving towards for several years. The work exhibited at Open Source regularly addresses social injustice happening outside our gallery walls. It is more important than ever to lead by example and address injustice within our organization. Just as we pay the staff at Open Source, it is important to establish a relationship of mutual respect with the artists we work with by paying them a living wage for their work.

New York City is well-known for the wealth of arts and culture it provides to both tourists and residents. We owe it to the artists to recognize their contributions, treat their work in the arts industry like the career that it is, and compensate them fairly.

Thank you to our supporters, staff, and Board of Directors, who have helped us to reach our goal of W.A.G.E. certification. This initiative has also been made possible through funding from the National Endowment of the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, and the Joseph Robert Foundation.