Responding to study finding 73% of freelancers earn under £25,000, guide includes fair work pledge and fee calculators.
Arts Council England (ACE) has published its first ‘Freelancers’ Handbook’, with practical guidance for freelancers and the cultural institutions they work with.
The handbook features guidance on contracts, fees, funding, tax, business development, and wellbeing.
It has been created in response to the findings of a 2024 ACE Cultural Freelancers Study, which found 73% of freelancers earn under £25,000 per year, with many reporting not earning enough to cover living costs.
Written and co-edited by independent cultural consultant, Rachel Mapplebeck, it has been designed for the estimated 30% of the cultural workforce operating as freelancers.
It contains information on fair pay and contracting, late payments and recourse mechanisms, legal and financial knowledge, finding work, networking, professional development, and wellbeing.
Also Included in the handbook is the Freelancer’s Fair Work Pledge for cultural organisations, which promotes contracting, crediting work, and supporting inclusion and access.
Freelancers' fair work pledge
Pay freelancers fairly and on time.
Contract well and project manage with care.
Credit freelancers and thank them for their work.
Support the inclusion and access needs of your hired freelancers.
It also includes practical tools such as fee calculators, a contracting checklist, email templates, invoice guidance and pay negotiation tips, alongside wellbeing support and information about professional associations and unions.
Inside are contributions by freelancers Leila d’Aronville, founder of North East Freelancers Network and new Freelance Champion for the DCMS; Caitriona Shoobridge, creative director in Theatre, Film and Audio; and Dr Furaha Asani, Scholar, Researcher, Writer, and Speaker.
ACE chief executive Darren Henley said: “Our sector is strongest when we all work together, so I hope that these new resources will play a part in building a fair and sustainable cultural sector where everyone belongs and has the opportunity to flourish.”
The first edition of the Freelancers’ Handbook is available here.
The handbook is accompanied by a Resources Directory, providing listings of paid work opportunities, funded programmes and skills development training.
