What They Make – Arts Execs Are Well Compensated

A survey of executive salaries in Minnesota arts organizations reveals that top executives are well-compensated. “Some who watch the nonprofit world wonder why arts administrators tend to out-earn their peers in other nonprofit categories such as those related to health, social services and education. In the Twin Cities in 2001, median pay packages for directors of top arts and culture organizations was $273,125, compared to $177,708 in education, $215,557 in health care and $123,984 in social services. ‘These jobs are much tougher now than they were. It’s difficult to recruit good, experienced people for director positions, and for critical marketing and development jobs. This narrows the pool and increases the salaries of really good people.”