Findings from in-depth survey into freelancing in the cultural sector highlight concerning issues

Valuable insights into freelancing with museums, galleries, heritage sites, archives and libraries are now available, following the publication of the findings from an extensive survey carried out earlier this year by Museum Freelance.

Museum Freelance, the organisation that supports and champions freelancers and consultants working with museums, galleries, heritage sites, archives and galleries, ran the survey in March and April 2020. The intention was to plug a gap in robust data on the self-employed workforce in our sector, which is making it harder for freelancers and consultants to thrive and be recognised as the integral part of the sector’s ecosystems that they are.

60% of the 314 survey respondents agree or strongly agree that you can make a successful career from freelancing in the cultural sector. However, only 47% agree or strongly agree that freelancers are valued and recognised for the work that they do, and a shocking 12% agree or strongly agree that sector organisations support freelancers.

The top motivations for going freelance are flexibility and freedom, work-life balance, and being your own boss. However 19% started freelancing because they were unable to find employed work and 16% because they had been made redundant, indicating that for many people, freelancing is more of a necessity to enable them to stay in the sector, than something they want to do.  

The survey identified that the main challenges freelancers face as balancing time, imposter syndrome, and inappropriate day rates. Only 19% feel they are paid an appropriate day rate (60% said they are sometimes paid an appropriate day rate, and 21% said they are not).

Whilst 56% charge day rates of £201-£400, 31% charge £200 or less (18% £150 or less and 6% £100 or less), which is concerning. Extensive qualitative feedback in the survey highlighted that many freelancers overservice (work more hours than agreed or budgeted for, for the same fee), meaning that their actual day rate is – in reality – much lower than that reported.

The responses clearly showed that there is a lack of understanding among some sector organisations and freelancers about how freelancers’ day rates are calculated and what they comprise, resulting in a downward pressure on rates. A freelancer needs to cover incurred business costs (e.g. insurance, equipment costs, professional memberships and services, travel, marketing and training); needs to cover tax, cover sick days and holidays and pension contributions; and the fact that typically 20-40% of their time is not spent on fee-earning work (rather new business development, finance and accountancy, marketing, training, office admin, IT trouble-shooting etc.). When all this is accounted for, the lowest day rates can end up providing an income that equates to an actual hourly rate which is around (or even below) the minimal wage.

In addition, a staggering 57% of freelancers surveyed are not contributing to a pension, which is a ticking time-bomb that urgently needs to be tackled.

As a result, Museum Freelance has developed a set of recommendations for what sector organisations can do to help the sector make progress on these issues. These include providing affordable opportunities open to freelancers; developing and implementing best practice procurement processes; and developing and implementing guidance on contractual issues.

Museum Freelance has also identified a range of next steps it is committed to undertaking as a result of the survey findings. These include creating a panel with freelancers to represent a wider range of freelance perspectives and help steer future activities; developing campaigns and lobbying to create change; as well as seeking funding to deliver on its vision and ambitious plans to support and champion freelancers in the sector.

Museum Freelance is run by consultants Marge Ainsley and Christina Lister. They have carried out the survey research, analysis, reporting, writing and dissemination in a voluntary capacity as they believe it was work that needed doing.

Marge Ainsley, co-director of Museum Freelance, said: “We know the insights will help us in our work to champion and support freelancers, and that they will be valuable for freelancers themselves. We also really hope they will stimulate reflection and improvements in the wider sector, from clients, funders and sector support organisations as well.

“Whilst the majority of those surveyed enjoy freelancing, there are a range of issues affecting freelancers’ wellbeing, and their ability to earn a living. As well as issues around pay, procurement and contracts, there are also challenges around feeling valued and access to opportunities.

“The survey has shown there is still a lot of work to be done to enable freelancing to be a financially viable, fulfilling and sustainable career choice for a broader range of people. With the sector’s commitments to diversity, we invite sector organisations to play a meaningful role in driving change in this area.”

Christina Lister, co-director of Museum Freelance, said: “With a growing proportion of the museums workforce choosing to – or being forced to – turn to freelancing, it is now more important than ever that the sector tackles the issues identified in this survey.

“Whether you are surprised by the findings or they confirm what you suspected, we now have a good base and clear calls to action on what can be done to address many of the challenges raised in the research. We want the issues raised to get on the sector’s agenda, and the insights to be a catalyst for positive change in the sector.

“A huge thank you to all the freelancers who took part and took the time to share their thoughts so honestly and generously. It is thanks to you that the research is so insightful.”

The full survey report can now be downloaded.

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Notes to editors

About Museum Freelance

Museum Freelance is an organisation that supports and champions freelancers and consultants working with museums, galleries, heritage sites, archives and libraries in the UK. It’s run by freelancers, for freelancers.

We provide a platform and opportunities for freelancers to collaborate, learn and flourish. We facilitate online and in-person networking and sharing within a community of over 1,100 freelancers; run training courses and a conference; and undertake lobbying and advocacy on behalf of freelancers.

We have also undertaken the sector’s first large and robust survey into freelancing, and secured and distributed a grant to provide 15 hardship grants to freelancers needing support as a result of Covid-19.

Founded in 2015 in a voluntary capacity, as of September 2020 it’s run as a limited company by freelancers Marge Ainsley and Christina Lister.

museumfreelance.org
www.twitter.com/museumfreelance

About the survey

The online survey was open for six weeks between 13 March and 30 April 2020.

There were several key research questions that were explored, including:

• What types of people freelance with museums, galleries, archives, heritage sites and libraries?

• What type of work do they do and how much do they charge?

• Do they contribute towards the cultural sector in any other ways such as volunteering their time?

• What are the perceived main benefits and challenges of freelancing?

• Do they feel valued and supported by the sector?

Months in the planning, the research ended up being carried out as the Covid-19 pandemic was escalating and straddled the announcement of lockdown and this should be borne in mind as the findings are read. 

The data was cleaned prior to analysis. The average completion rate was calculated and responses taking less than three minutes were removed, leaving 314 respondents:

• 83% identified as female

• 16% said their day-to-day activities were limited because of a health problem or disability

• 94% described their ethnicity as White

• 50% work part-time (either exclusively freelancing, or freelancing alongside study or employment)

• The top 5 freelance roles are: Education/learning delivery; Interpretation/exhibitions; Evaluation/visitor studies/audience consultation; Project management; Communication/marketing/audience development

• 36% undertake unpaid, pro bono client work (e.g. supporting funding bids).

The recommendations identified in the report as a result of the findings are:

Recommendations for sector organisations:

1.       Value freelancers

2.       Consult with and include freelancers

3.       Provide affordable opportunities open to freelancers

4.       Develop and implement best practice procurement processes

5.       Develop and implement guidance on contractual issues.

Recommendations for freelancers:

1.       Think like a business

2.       Stay informed

3.       Be assertive

4.       Get involved in the Museum Freelance community

5.       Recognise and shout about your achievements.

The next steps Museum Freelance has committed to are:

1.       Disseminate research findings

2.       Create a panel with freelance voices

3.       Deliver online training

4.       Develop campaigns

5.       Seek funding.