The Scottish Artists Union has from its inception been concerned with establishing recognised national standards in artists’ contracts and payments, as it is often difficult for artists to quantify the value of their work. We have therefore prepared some recommended rates of pay which members may wish to use as a guide when negotiating payment for their work on short-term contracts, sessional work and residencies that are paid on a self-employed basis.
The Scottish Artists Union has updated its Recommended Rates of Pay f(RRoP) for 2026/2027. We recognise that the economic climate remains challenging and that the cos-of-living pressures continue to affect artists' ability to sustain their practice. It is therefore important that we continue to promote an appropriate increase in the rates we recommend.
For 2026/2027, a 2% rise has been applied to the rates for artists and makers with 3+ and 5+ years of experience, and the graduate rate has been increased by 5.5% (to bring comparable employment hourly rates inline with The Real Living Wage of £13.45) These adjustments aim to maintain the value of artists' work in today's economy.
SAU Recommended Rates of Pay 2026-2027 (effective from April 2026)
Recommended Hourly Rates
New Graduate Artist
£31.00 per hour
3+ Years' Experience
£37.10 per hour
5+ Years' Experience
£45.80 per hour
Recommended Sessional Rates
Day rates are based on an 8-hour day, minimum ‘call’ is for a 4-hour session. Additional hours over 8-hours should be at a minimum of the appropriate hourly rate (see above).
New Graduate Artist
£248.00 p/day (£124.00 p/ ½ day)
3+ Years' Experience
£296.80 p/day (£148.40 p/ ½ day)
5+ Years' Experience
£366.40 p/day (£183.20 p/ ½ day)
The variations in rates relate to qualifications/experience, which are defined by ‘years as a working artist’, and would be evidenced by a professional CV, indicating the artist’s art world track record and/or unique attributes.
Recommended Residency Rates
New Graduate Artist
£33,255 p/annum (pro rata)
5+ Years' Experience
£44,980 p/annum (pro rata)
These residency rates are guidelines aimed at organisations who offer artists' residencies, where the artist is solely focusing on their development for a period of time and are also in receipt of the other benefits that come with being on a residency.
They do not apply to self-organised development or individuals running freelance projects over a longer time period.
All residencies should be calculated on a pro rata basis where the residency is of 20+ working days.
The variations in rates relate to qualifications/experience as above.
Further Explanation:
The Recommended Rates of Pay have been prepared as a comparison to paid employment.
These Recommended Rates of Pay are provided for guidance purposes, as artists are, at all times, free to negotiate rates of pay different to those set out above. Rates assume appropriate professional conduct by the Artist.
The Scottish Artists Union encourages all artists and those who wish to contract artists, to make use of this information. Please contact us directly, if you have any questions or comments.