Financial Parity Statement
March 24, 2022
To Our Seattle Community,
In June 2020 CoCA published our Statement Against Racism and Pro-Equity Call to Action. These impactful pathways have allowed us to amplify the voices of underrepresented artists through major exhibitions and projects. We allied with Onyx Fine Arts Collective and the City of Seattle to successfully complete the torch-down BLM street mural in front of City Hall on 4th Avenue. Our pro-equity anti-racist work is integral to the fabric of our organization and our ability to build sustainable artistic communities.
During 2022, CoCA is striving for economic equity on behalf of our artistic communities. Seattle urgently needs to prioritize financial parity for its artists, and we implore you to join us.
Art is a human right. Artists deserve the respect, dignity, and diverse opportunities that come with economic stability. The impact of contemporary art on our society is foundational, its message critical. Statements of support and allyship are no longer enough; it is time to deliver financial parity in the arts.
At CoCA, we choose artistic action. We fight for a fully empowered economic and creative life for all artists. Every day we champion effective and culturally equitable policies and practices that build and advocate for stronger communities of belonging.
Now, CoCA joins the diverse voices calling for disruption of the chronic financial imbalance in the arts. Artists must have the ability to reach economic parity regarding fair wages and professional opportunities. Collectively, we can promote economic wellbeing for artistic communities. Please join us in committing to real, actionable change in the arts.
CoCA’s 2022 commitments to building financial parity in the arts are:
Offering increased compensation through stipends, honorariums and free CoCA Artist Memberships for all gallery exhibition artists, curators, marathon artists and portfolio reviewers.
Launching the CoCA Internship Incubator Program (CIIP©), a stipend-based internship program formalizing our longstanding public-private internship Incubator for future arts leaders.
Annual cost $47,400 including Intern pay and staff support
Increasing salaries and hours for the staff of our art nonprofit
Starts with an annual budget increase of $15,000- $30,000 per employee; then a 4% living wage increase each year after.
Enhancing our CoCA Member Artist Benefits, with free access to:
○ Online portfolio reviews
Curated CoCA ShowWalls© out-of-gallery exhibition program
15+15+ Artist Connector meetings
Juried consideration for CoCA Members’ Exhibition, and full inclusion for the annual CoCA Member’s Open Show
Hosted Artist Directory page on CoCA’s website
Elevating artist commissions for sales:
100% for CoCA ShowWalls exhibition art sales
70% artist commission for in-gallery art sales
Continued 50/50 commission for sales in CoCA Annual Art Marathon & Auction
For CoCA to open these critical economic pathways, we need your support; join our community of flourishing to create equitable change. Thriving is a human right.
Here’s how you can help:
Donate now to CoCA
Purchase a CoCA Artist Membership for yourself or your loved ones
Support CoCA through a Sponsorship with your business
Purchase tickets for our annual hybrid Art Marathon and Auction in September
Shop for books in our CoCA Museum Store
Warm regards,
Alexis Chapman, Deputy Director
Judith Rayl, MD PhD, President, Board of Directors
Stephanie Baca Delancey, Co-Vice President, Board of Directors
Joel Cazares, Co-Vice President, Board of Directors
Sarah Huckaby, Membership and Development Strategist
Janie Bube, Programs and Exhibition Manager
