Artist Resources, Grants for Artists, Creative Projects, Making Money for Artists

In an industry where talking about money often feels taboo, Bills, Bills, Bills is doing something radical: asking theater workers to share exactly what they earn and how they make it work. Published through Lauren Halvorsen's Nothing for the Group newsletter, this crowdsourced series has featured over 40 financial diaries since 2022 — from costume workers in Cleveland to lighting designers in Australia — offering a rare glimpse into the real economics of building a life in the arts. In this conversation, series curator Jenna Clark Embrey talks about breaking down financial stigma, the power of salary transparency, and why she's still a little disappointed Destiny's Child hasn't sent a cease and desist.

My measuring stick for rising inflation is the cost of an iced lavender matcha latte. It used to be $5, then $6, now a harrowing $7. Every time I reach the checkout screen, a familiar, condescending voice comes blaring through my head:

My measuring stick for rising inflation is the cost of an iced lavender matcha latte. It used to be $5, then $6, now a harrowing $7. Every time I reach the checkout screen, a familiar, condescending voice comes blaring through my head:

A high stakes barter exchange takes place in my apartment every morning. My cat, Zart, has determined that the fair market value of one (1) hour of additional sleep in the morning is equivalent to ¼ cup of dry food. Most recently, he has stipulated that ½ can of wet food can be exchanged for two (2) hours of additional sleep. If neither of these goods appear in his bowl at 6AM, I will not receive any additional sleep.

My measuring stick for rising inflation is the cost of an iced oat milk vanilla matcha latte. It used to be $5, then $6, now a harrowing $7. Every time I reach the checkout screen, a familiar, condescending voice comes blaring through my head: