Ok,
we were told not to be this transparent because it will scare away subscribers and supporters.
But we want you to know the successes we’re proud of and where we need your help. Read on for a probably-too-granular breakdown to our 2024 budget.
Already convinced?
2024 Expenses: $48,612
- Ella Ray, Associate Editor, stipend ($40/hr, 10 hrs/week): $19,200
- Amelia Rina, Editor in Chief, stipend ($1,000/month): $12,000
- Jaime Salazar, Consulting Product Manager: volunteer/trade
- Writers’ fees January–December: $1,800 ($150/month)
- Cliff Notes writers’ fees January–December: $4,800 ($100/week)
- Contractors (graphic design, website development): $1,500
- Marketing: $2,400
- Operating costs: $2,000
- Savings for 2025 budget: $4,912
2024 Projected Income: $48,612
- Subscriptions as of January 2024: $426/month, $5,112/year
- Critical Minded 2024 grant: $43,500
- Advertising: TBD*
- Sponsored content: TBD*
- One-time gifts: TBD*
- Merch Sales: TBD*
So, what do all these numbers mean?
Thanks to the generosity of Critical Minded and our subscribers, Variable West will continue empowering the West Coast art community for another year!
Thinking about long-term sustainability, any additional revenue from 2024 will be put toward 2025’s budget. The goal is to be financially independent for many years to come. Scroll down to see our past budget breakdowns.
* These numbers are where things get tricky. We’re not sure how much we’ll make through advertising, sponsored content, one-time gifts, and merch sales this year, which means we can’t plan for this income. Whatever income we do generate will go toward next year’s budget.
How can you make a difference?
Consistent monthly income is vital to paying writers and artists sustainable wages.
Can’t swing a subscription right now? Trust us, we get it. There are lots of other great ways to show us some love:
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2023 Expenses: $35,500
- Ella Ray, Associate Editor, stipend ($40/hr, 10 hrs/week): $14,400
- Amelia Rina, Editor in Chief, stipend: $12,000
- Jaime Salazar, Consulting Product Manager: volunteer/trade
- Contract website developer: $2,000
- Writers’ fees March–December: $1,500 ($150/month)
- Cliff Notes writers’ fees March–December: $3,600 ($100/week)
- Operating costs: $2,000
2023 Income: $38,252
- Subscriptions: $396/month, $4,752/year
- Critical Minded 2023 grant: $33,500
- Advertising: TBD
- Sponsored content: TBD
- Donations: TBD
- Sales: TBD
We’re in this together.
It may sound hyperbolic, but we really think we can change the art world for the better.
The fact is, the art world has been dominated by white male opinions for centuries. It has a broken economic model that celebrates exploitation and systemic marginalization. We love art, and want to build the community we deserve.