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Professional Standards for Dance

Section 4 - Fees & Payments for Dance Artists


4. Fees & Payments for Dance Artists

4.1 Terms of Engagement 

1. Prior to the beginning of the engagement the type of payment (e.g. hourly, weekly or flat rate) will be negotiated by the Engager and the Engagee.

2. Prior to the beginning of the engagement the frequency of pay will be negotiated by the Engager and the Engagee.

3. The Engager will indicate to the Engagee the quantity (e.g., hours, weeks, months) and type of activity required for the engagement.

4. If the Engagee works hours beyond the hours negotiated in the Agreement then the additional time:

will be overtime paid at a rate to be negotiated by the Engager and Engagee prior to commencement of the engagement, or

the Engagee will be given paid time off in lieu of pay.

5. The Engager will respect public holidays (see Glossary). When this is not possible, an overtime rate may be negotiated or the Engagee may be allowed a substitute day off with respect to public holidays.

6. Dance Artists agreeing to payment less than the recommended minimum, or to in-kind donations in lieu of monetary compensation, will be properly contracted as such.


4.2 Hourly Rates of Compensation

1. Suggested minimum hourly rates do not preclude the Dance Artist from negotiating higher than these rates.

2. The Engager and Engagee should be aware when working on an hourly basis that the standard practice is a minimum 2-hour call. This means that should an Engager choose to work less than 2 hours, they must pay Engagee for no less than 2 hours.

3. Should the Engager choose to work more than 2 hours but less than the contracted number of hours for the activity, the Engagee shall be paid for the number of hours originally contracted.


4.3 Weekly Rates of Compensation

1. Suggested minimum weekly rates do not preclude the Dance Artist from negotiating higher than these rates.

2. An Engagee contracted for 20 or more hours per week of rehearsals may be paid a weekly, rather than an hourly rate. A weekly rate means that the Engager and Engagee have agreed upon a determined number of work hours and a set rate of pay per week.

3. Should an Engager choose to work less than the contracted number of hours in the week, the Engagee is still paid the weekly rate originally negotiated.

4. Should an Engager choose to work more than the contracted number of hours in the week, the rate for extra hours should be negotiated and paid out to the Engagee in addition to the weekly rate.

5. Should the Engagee be required to work in excess of 30 hours in a week, overtime will be in effect (see 4.1.4).

6. During an agreement where the Engagee is paid a weekly fee, the Engager will provide space and/or training as part of paid time for the purposes of the Engagee’s required rehearsal preparation.


4.4 Flat Rates of Compensation

1. A flat fee may be negotiated and agreed upon by the Engager and Engagee. A flat fee remains subject to the provisions of 4.1 Terms of Engagement.

2. A flat fee Agreement covers any single work period that may include one or more of the following: choreographic development, rehearsal, performance, workshops remounting existing work, technical and dress rehearsals.


4.5 Rates of Compensation for Exclusivity

1. Exclusivity requires that the Engagee does not work for another Engager on another activity during the agreement period, unless otherwise negotiated.

2. Where an Engager requires the exclusive right to an Engagee, the Engagee cannot expect their requests to adjust the rehearsal, technical or performance schedule to be honoured.

Note: It is not recommended that an exclusive Agreement be agreed to when payment is less frequent than weekly or bi-weekly as there is little remedy for non-payment.


4.6 Rates for Compensation for Other Activities

1. Even if the Engager does not anticipate activities such as costume fittings, publicity photo shoots, fundraisers, teaching, Q & A’s with the public or receptions, an hourly rate for the Engagee for this type of activity will be negotiated and included in the Agreement.  The engagee will be informed with ample time to prepare for such activities, at a suggested minimum of 48 hours.

2. The rate of pay for this type of activity should be the same as the rehearsal rate.

4.7 Royalties

4.7.1. Overview

When a dance is re-mounted after its original production and presentation, royalties must be paid to the choreographer for performance, unless some other agreement has previously been negotiated. It is the responsibility of the Producer to ensure that the necessary permissions and agreements are in place (see 2.3.2.1)

4.7.2. Specifics

Royalties should be negotiated outside of the initial choreography fee and stipulated in the contract.  CADA-East supports per-minute rates for choreographic royalties and recommends $6 per minute per performance. Given the small size of dance production budgets compared to most theatre, the relative financial precariousness of dance in general, a per minute rate is a known quantity that will support the choreographer and the producer.

Alternately, the Choreographer may receive between 1 and 10 percent of the original fee paid for choreography in royalties. 


4.8 CADA/East Recommended Minimum Fee Payments


 4.8.1 Dancer Rehearsal Fee  
 i. Professional Artist $30-$60 per hour
 ii. Exclusive engagement for Professional Artists $1 280-
 $1 530
 per week
 4.8.2 Dancer Technical and/or Dress Rehearsal Fee(s)  
  These should be negotiated separately, even if they fall on a performance day.  
 i. Professional Artists $30-$60

 per hour; 2-hr  minimum 

 4.8.3 Dancer Performance Fee $220-
 $550
 per performance
 i. Professional Artists $1,040 max. 36-hr activity  including  performances
 ii. Exclusive Engagements $1 280-
 $1 530
 per week
 4.8.4 Choreographer Fee - use one of three options $1 280-
 $1 530
 per week of in  studio rehearsal
   $300  per minute of  completed  choreography
   20%  minimum of total  budget
 4.8.5 Dancer/Choreographer Fee  
  CADA/East recognizes that this is a complex role which artists budget differently. We recommend that you follow one of the above Choreographer Fee options and minimum fee recommendations.   
 4.8.6 Choreographer Royalty/Remounts $6 per minute
 4.8.7 Dance Dramaturge Fee  
  Clearly define the role and responsibilities and negotiate accordingly in this range.  $30-$60 per hour
 4.8.8 Rates for Rehearsal Direction  
 i. Professional Artists $30-$60 per hour - 2hr  minimum
 4.8.9 Rates for Teaching   
 4.8.9.1 Teaching - regular weekly   
 i. 0 - 2 years experience  $20-40 per hour
 ii. 2 - 5 years experience  $35-65 per hour
 iii. 5 - 10 years experience  $40-75 per hour
 iv. 10+ years experience  $50-150 per hour
 4.8.9.2

 Special Guest Workshop 

  
  Compensation should be commensurate with the size of the class, as larger classes will require more energy and expertise from instructors.  $75-300 per hour 
 4.8.9.3 Convention Teaching (>50 participants)   
 In recognition of the level of experience, planning, skill, and energy required to teach in this setting.  $150-500 per hour 
 4.8.9.4 Professional / Post-Secondary Instruction $65-100 per hour 
 4.8.10 Rate for Archival or Publicity Photography, Film & Video
 i. Professional Artists $30-$60  per hour - 2 hr  minimum
 4.8.11 Rates for Commercial Photography, Film & Video   
CADA/East recognizes ACTRA as an authority in the mainstream television and video industry; the suggested rates are presented as options for dance artists' participation in independently funded, non-union projects.   
  Professional and Emerging Artists  $110 per hour
 4.8.10 Meal Allowance (on Tour in Canada) - adjustments must be made internationally to reflect  currency & local prices  $60 per day (3 meals)
  for less than a full day:  
  Breakfast $12 
  Lunch  $18 
  Dinner $30 
 When dance artists are required to make payment for their own accommodation and meals, we recommend  a per diem of not less than $140 per day (in Canada).   




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