Commissioning Young People

It’s as simple as this: We don’t believe in working for ‘exposure’. The current structures of creative industries where entry level opportunities exist only for those with the privilege to be able to work for free isn’t just elitist, it also teaches bad values. 

The arts are not worthless. 
Creative work is valid work. 
All labour – even creative labour – should be compensated.

With Marginal we don’t just want to elevate and platform marginalised youth voices. We also want young people to be compensated for their work. 

This isn’t just because we believe that it’s the right thing to do. It’s also so that the young people on the programme have a tangible understanding of the value of their work. Exposure doesn’t cover rent or bills. Exposure doesn’t sustain a human body. Exposure isn’t possible for those who cannot afford it. 

As such, we believe that all young people deserve the chance to start their careers with a paid opportunity. They deserve the chance to learn how to value their time and talent while also learning how to create invoices and discuss payment opportunities with potential future employers and clients in a professional, measured way. 

This is a core part of our values as an organisation. And with the help of additional funding, it’s something we’re working hard to achieve in ensuring that every young person is fairly compensated for their work. 

Let’s change the landscape and invest in a fairer future.