Malawian artists are frequently approached to perform at fundraisers for free, often with the reasoning that the event supports a “good cause.” While contributing to positive societal efforts is commendable, asking artists to perform without compensation diminishes the value of their craft and undermines their careers. It sends a message that their time, energy, and creativity are not worth the same consideration as other professional services – a narrative we want to change for artists here in Malawi.
Let’s talk about why it remains crucial to compensate artists for their work at fundraisers, regardless of the cause, and why expecting free performances is both unfair and unsustainable for the growth of Malawi’s creative industry.
The True Costs of Being an Artist
To fully grasp why it’s unreasonable to expect artists to perform for free, we need to acknowledge the significant financial, physical, and creative investments they make. A professional performance isn’t simply about showing up on stage—it involves a deep commitment that requires continuous investment in various areas:
Equipment and Maintenance
Musicians and performers invest heavily in instruments, sound systems, microphones, and other critical tools of their trade. These assets don’t come cheap, and ongoing maintenance is essential to ensure they remain in optimal condition for performances. Every performance puts wear on this equipment, which must be repaired or replaced over time.
Rehearsals and Time
Behind every great performance are countless hours of rehearsals, songwriting, and preparation. Time is an invaluable resource, and when artists are asked to perform for free, it’s not just their performance time that’s being offered—it’s the accumulated hours they’ve invested to deliver a high-quality show. Overlooking this effort devalues their dedication and expertise.
Transport and Logistics
Whether the event is in the same city or requires traveling, transportation costs are a standard part of an artist’s process. Artists often have to cover not just their own travel expenses but also those of their band members, crew, and equipment. Unless event organizers cover these costs, performing for free becomes an expense rather than an opportunity. This also includes food, accommodation, and other incidental costs that can add up quickly.
Emotional and Creative Energy
Artistry is not only a physical performance but also a mental and emotional process. Musicians pour their heart and soul into their art, and high-caliber performances demand a significant emotional and physical investment. Performing under the strain of being unpaid can diminish an artist’s morale and well-being, leading to burnout and dissatisfaction in their career. It’s also a recipe for Malawian artists to be taken advantage of since reputation can spread that an artist performs for free or at a fraction of their full price.
Marketing and Professional Growth
For most artists, live performances are a platform to build their brand, engage with their audience, and gain visibility. While exposure is important, it is rarely enough to sustain an artist’s career or compensate for the investment they’ve made. Free performances, unless strategically planned, often result in minimal tangible business growth. Paid gigs are crucial for artists to reinvest in their careers, fund their future projects, and expand their reach. Just like any other business, there are operational costs to being an artist and most times, we overlook what those figures look like in real life.
Artists Also Have Living Expenses
At the end of the day, artists—like everyone else—have bills to pay. They have families to feed, rent to cover, and responsibilities to meet. Playing a free gig doesn’t exempt them from these obligations; it only puts them in a worse financial position. Every performance, free or not, has costs: rehearsal space, equipment setup, transportation, and even food for themselves and their team. A “free” performance is far from free for the artist.
Why Paying Artists is a Matter of Fairness
Just as we wouldn’t expect a chef to cater an event for free or an electrician to do work at no charge, we shouldn’t ask artists to offer their services without compensation. Here’s why it’s a question of fairness:
Art is Work
For professional artists, performing is not a pastime or hobby—it is their profession. Asking an artist to perform for free is akin to asking them to work without pay and any reasonable person would not accept and let alone offer that. It devalues their expertise and dismisses the years they’ve spent honing their craft. In any other industry, unpaid labor is considered exploitative; the same principle applies to the arts.
Exposure Doesn’t Pay the Bills
While exposure is often cited as a benefit of free performances, it doesn’t pay for an artist’s equipment, transportation, or daily living expenses. If an event can afford to pay for venues, sound systems, catering, and other essential elements, paying artists should also be a priority. Exposure only benefits artists when it leads to paid opportunities—not when it consistently replaces them.
Sustainability of Art in Malawi
Malawi’s music and arts industry is still developing, and consistent, fair compensation is essential to its sustainability. When artists are paid fairly, they can dedicate more time to refining their craft, which in turn improves the quality of their performances and strengthens the industry as a whole. A vibrant, sustainable arts scene cannot flourish if artists are continuously expected to work for free.
Devaluation of Art
When artists are repeatedly asked to perform for free, it devalues their work and reduces the perception of its worth. This creates a harmful cycle where art is seen as something to be given away rather than a valuable commodity that enriches society. The Malawian creative industry is already working hard to reshape this narrative, but it will require collective support from the public, corporations, and organizations to establish a culture where artists are respected and fairly compensated.
Furthermore, event organisers and companies that hire artists are often already paid themselves – on a monthly salary or commission basis and so, the idea that an artist should enhance an event with their artistry without proper compensation is absurd to say the least.
The Role of Volunteerism in the Arts
It’s important to differentiate between voluntary performances and unpaid gigs. When an artist chooses to volunteer their services, it is an intentional decision to support a cause they are passionate about. Volunteering, when done on an artist’s own terms, can be a powerful way to give back to the community. However, as an artist, you should never be pressured or guilted into performing for free. Volunteering is a choice, not an expectation.
Artists who volunteer do so from a place of alignment with their values, and they deserve the freedom to decide when and where they wish to contribute their art without financial compensation. By compensating artists fairly at fundraisers and any other event, we not only honour their time and talent but also contribute to the growth of a sustainable, thriving arts culture in Malawi.
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