GFWF in a Nutshell
Jazz in the Neighborhood provides subsidies to venues/presenters who agree to pay musicians a guarantee and meet other requirements. Production and promotion of the event is the responsibility of the venue/presenter.
Applying for a subsidy
- If you need information about how the program works, talk with a Jazz in the Neighborhood representative or email gfwf@jazzintheneighborhood.org.
- Book musicians for a specific date.
- Nominate acts you have booked to receive GFWF funding.
- In an email to gfwf@jazzintheneighborhood.org, list:
- the name of the ensemble
- the names and instruments of the ensemble members
- the date and time of the event
- ticket prices if not free
- optionally, include musician email addresses
- if possible, include a brief description of the music to be performed
- If you are a first-time GFWF recipient, include legal name, address, and tax id
- Nominations should be submitted as soon as possible, preferably two months in advance. Multiple bookings covering several months may be nominated at the same time.
Receipt of the subsidy
- You will receive a contract for each event selected for the subsidy. Read, complete as needed, sign, and return.
- A check for the amount indicated on the contract will be issued by Intersection for the Arts. Whenever possible, the check will be issued and sent prior to the event.
- Pay each individual and/or the leader the amounts listed on the contract (generally $150 per musician).
- Payment must be via check or other non-cash instrument. Be sure to obtain the tax id of all payment recipients so that 1099s may be sent as required by law.
Promoting the GFWF event
- Advertise the GFWF event as “A Guaranteed Fair Wage Fund event, sponsored by Jazz in the Neighborhood.” Do not imply that Jazz in the Neighborhood is the presenter of the event.
- Promote the GFWF event on your website, in calendar listings, via email, on Facebook and other social media, etc. This may be delegated to the musicians.
- For the Facebook event listing, please invite Jazz in the Neighborhood to co-host.
- Jazz in the Neighborhood will announce your event on its website blog, in its weekly email newsletter, and in its printed concert programs.
GFWF event requirements
- No tipping is allowed, though donations to JITN or other bona fide nonprofit are to be encouraged.
- The environment should be appropriate for listening, e.g, turn off any TVs in the same room.
- One Jazz in the Neighborhood representative will be admitted free-of-charge and will be given opportunity to address the audience and solicit donations.
- If a Jazz in the Neighborhood representative is not present, either the emcee or a musician will announce Jazz in the Neighborhood’s role to the audience. The sample talking points may be conveyed in one’s own words.
- When possible, Jazz in the Neighborhood collateral (e.g. postcards) should remain available on site.
- After the event, please email ticket revenue and/or number of attendees to gfwf@jazzintheneighborhood.org
GFWF musicians
- The leader and at least half of the musicians must reside in the San Francisco Bay Area or have a substantial local presence.
- The musicians being paid must be professionals who currently make their living through music.
- The minimum compensation is $150 per musician for ensembles of eight or fewer; $100 per musician for ensembles larger than an octet. Additionally, the leader receives 10% of the ensemble total.
- The venue/presenter will report any changes of personnel, date, time, or location to JITN immediately.
- Musicians wishing to participate in the GFWF program should request that the venue/presenter nominate them once they have been booked.
Sample talking points for the emcee or ensemble leader
THE BASICS
This is a Guaranteed Fair Wage Fund event, sponsored by Jazz in the Neighborhood, to ensure that the musicians playing here tonight receive fair compensation for the music we’re/they’re performing.
Jazz in the Neighborhood feels that highly skilled professional musicians should not need to play for tips, and so no tips will be accepted at this event. However, you can support this event and the work of Jazz in the Neighborhood by making a donation (here or) online. Donate online at jazzintheneighborhood.org
ADDITIONAL DETAILS, optional
Jazz in the Neighborhood is a nonprofit organization that works to improve the economics of jazz performance in the Bay Area by presenting affordable concerts, paying musicians a guaranteed wage, and supporting the work of established and aspiring jazz artists.
At Guaranteed Fair Wage Fund events, each musician is paid $150* regardless of ticket sales. Jazz in the Neighborhood makes this possible by subsidizing 40% of their pay. The venue or presenter [substitute actual name] guarantees the rest.
* [$150 for eight or fewer musicians, ensembles larger than an octet are paid $100 each]
