Rates of Pay Guidance

Creative Scotland has made Fair Work one of its key strategic priorities. We are committed to promoting fair pay, conditions, and employment opportunities across the creative sector. We want to ensure that artists and those professionals working in the creative community are paid fairly and appropriately for their time and effort.

Fair Work First is a Scottish Government policy that aims for Scotland to be a leading Fair Work Nation by 2025 where fair work drives success, wellbeing and prosperity for individuals, businesses, organisations and society. Organisations and individuals seeking funding from Creative Scotland are expected to pay those involved fairly, this includes other people carrying out work for them and the applicants own artistic costs.

Across all our funding programmes we expect applicants to be clear about all costs they allocate in their budgets relating to the payment of people. As a basis we strongly encourage payment of at least the Real Living Wage to all people being employed to undertake work.

Many people are able and wish to contribute some or all their time to a project in-kind. This is acceptable where there is a clear rationale to support that decision. It is not, however, acceptable for people to feel under pressure to work for low or no pay to secure an opportunity.

This document signposts to key sources of guidance on industry standards, union rates and codes of practice from key lead bodies.

Download the Rates of Pay Signposting Guide

Fair Work - Rates of Pay Signposting Guide

Download the Rates of Pay Signposting Guide (opens PDF)