Yes times are tough in business and in the arts. So much so that it seems that even this not for profit organisation, in common with many others, cannot offer either the minimum wage, or at the very least even enough for the starving intern to buy their lunch.
Edinburgh Printmakers has listed a gallery internship on Creative Scotland. In fact there are two six month internships on offer – 2 days a week or 8 days per month. The closing date is today 27th September 2010. With these positions they are offering no pay but travel assistance of up to £20 per month… Lothian Buses charges £1.20 per journey. So 8 times £2.40 is under £20 – just! If you travel from further afield then presumably you have to fund your own travel.
On their website they state that “Edinburgh Printmakers receives financial support from the Scottish Arts Council (SAC) and City of Edinburgh District Council. This accounts for approximately 50% of our running costs. The remaining costs are covered by Income generated through print sales, publishing and printing.” But it seems that they do not have enough resources to offer even a small wage to their prospective interns.
For some detailed advice on the thorny issue of being paid (or not) for a work placement or internship you can have a look at the information provided on the directgov website.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
