In the wake of the “Kylie asks dancers to work for free” debate, a new website looks set to answer some of the most vexed questions that artists face in today’s competitive market. By encouraging artists to share employment experiences, the Who pays artists? website aims to expose the companies which underpay creatives as well as draw attention to industry best practice. And already, Australian artists are sharing their stories, both good and bad.

The rules of the site ensure that all users remain anonymous and artists are invited to reveal how much they were paid for their work and the name the organisation that employed them. In addition they can provide optional details of their experience with a particular arts employer as well as explaining their professional backgrounds.

“You never know how much to ask for,” says the site’s homepage. “Discussions about money are taboo because we pretend that passion and creativity alone should pay the bills. Some of the best events have ‘no budget’, and sometimes only the worst events can make a career as an artist look painfully sustainable. Let’s help each other sort through some of the confusion, and develop an ongoing dialogue...