The Minnesota State Fair has officially changed the policy to allow tip jars for performers. It is a profound relief to see our craft respected in this way and I am grateful for everyone who recognized the value of our work. We can now perform with the dignity that comes …
November 14, 2021
Final supporters
If the 2020 pandemic has taught us anything, it's that so many workers do not earn a fair wage. Musicians are no exception. By signing this petition, you are asking that the MN State Fair allows musicians & bands to have tip jars during performances and shows.
Allowing musicians and bands to have a tip jar during performances is the least invasive way musicians can ask for a decent wage during our experience and work at the fair. A tip jar is a way to get paid without having to ask each venue for a higher wage. This takes the pressure off of the venues and maintains the relationship that musicians have with them.
For many years, the MN State Fair has stated that they do not allow musicians or concession workers to solicit tips. The State Fair says that "The primary reason for this is our desire to not have fair guests feel as though they are getting "dinged" when they visit a booth or concession or enjoy free entertainment." This kind of mentality assumes that the guests are getting something for nothing. It dehumanizes us. As musicians, we have spent countless hours practicing and perfecting our craft to be able to provide entertainment for guests. The venues at the fair do not pay musicians much, especially considering the hassle it takes to load gear in and out of the fair grounds every night, and the hours we spent tirelessly entertaining the huge number of guests every night.
We are not asking the venues for more money. We are asking that the State Fair allows musicians to have a jar or bucket out so that if any fair guest wants to support local music, they can. Allowing a tip jar does not force anyone to give bands and musicians money, but does give them the option to make that choice for themselves.
It's simple, musicians deserve monetary gratitude. By signing, we are uniting in agreement that we should simply be allowed tip jars on stage with us.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
August 28, 2021
Reached 100 supporters
July 17, 2021
72 Comments
You can’t pay professional musicians way below market standard for entertainment *and prohibit* tipping. That’s not providing “exposure,” it’s exploitation.
Gig workers work for tips. Pay them more or allow them to collect tips. They are a huge part of the state fair institution and drive patrons to these locations, which helps drive sales at the bars. Keeping the musicians happy will allow for better performances which drives sales. Everyone wins
Being that COVID-19 hit musicians extremely hard, I feel as if this is necessary for us musicians to keep doing what we are doing. Music equipment, microphones, guitars, drums, strings, etc. do not come free.
As musicians, we work hard to load in, perform in all kinds of weather, and load out. Even if the state fair wants to up the guaranteed pay, it doesn’t make sense in any scenario to disallow tip jars. People will ask us where it is. Let the patrons tip.
Being a professional musician myself with close to 10 years in the MSP music scene, I can attest that musicians do not get paid nearly enough for what we offer. Please allow tip receptacles at the stages--where the customer may choose to support the artist (or not). The only people who are consistently getting "dinged", are the musicians, and we need support now more than ever.
This is disgusting. I hate to see musicians treated like dirt
Sometimes that’s the only way they get money
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
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The Minnesota State Fair has officially changed the policy to allow tip jars for performers. It is a profound relief to see our craft respected in this way and I am grateful for everyone who recognized the value of our work. We can now perform with the dignity that comes …
November 14, 2021
Final supporters
If the 2020 pandemic has taught us anything, it's that so many workers do not earn a fair wage. Musicians are no exception. By signing this petition, you are asking that the MN State Fair allows musicians & bands to have tip jars during performances and shows.
Allowing musicians and bands to have a tip jar during performances is the least invasive way musicians can ask for a decent wage during our experience and work at the fair. A tip jar is a way to get paid without having to ask each venue for a higher wage. This takes the pressure off of the venues and maintains the relationship that musicians have with them.
For many years, the MN State Fair has stated that they do not allow musicians or concession workers to solicit tips. The State Fair says that "The primary reason for this is our desire to not have fair guests feel as though they are getting "dinged" when they visit a booth or concession or enjoy free entertainment." This kind of mentality assumes that the guests are getting something for nothing. It dehumanizes us. As musicians, we have spent countless hours practicing and perfecting our craft to be able to provide entertainment for guests. The venues at the fair do not pay musicians much, especially considering the hassle it takes to load gear in and out of the fair grounds every night, and the hours we spent tirelessly entertaining the huge number of guests every night.
We are not asking the venues for more money. We are asking that the State Fair allows musicians to have a jar or bucket out so that if any fair guest wants to support local music, they can. Allowing a tip jar does not force anyone to give bands and musicians money, but does give them the option to make that choice for themselves.
It's simple, musicians deserve monetary gratitude. By signing, we are uniting in agreement that we should simply be allowed tip jars on stage with us.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
August 28, 2021
Reached 100 supporters
July 17, 2021
72 Comments
I went to the fair last week and any place I paid with card also had a tip option..... why do they get tips when musicians don't? Rude.
You can’t pay professional musicians way below market standard for entertainment *and prohibit* tipping. That’s not providing “exposure,” it’s exploitation.
Gig workers work for tips. Pay them more or allow them to collect tips. They are a huge part of the state fair institution and drive patrons to these locations, which helps drive sales at the bars. Keeping the musicians happy will allow for better performances which drives sales. Everyone wins
Being that COVID-19 hit musicians extremely hard, I feel as if this is necessary for us musicians to keep doing what we are doing. Music equipment, microphones, guitars, drums, strings, etc. do not come free.
As musicians, we work hard to load in, perform in all kinds of weather, and load out. Even if the state fair wants to up the guaranteed pay, it doesn’t make sense in any scenario to disallow tip jars. People will ask us where it is. Let the patrons tip.
Being a professional musician myself with close to 10 years in the MSP music scene, I can attest that musicians do not get paid nearly enough for what we offer. Please allow tip receptacles at the stages--where the customer may choose to support the artist (or not). The only people who are consistently getting "dinged", are the musicians, and we need support now more than ever.
This is disgusting. I hate to see musicians treated like dirt
Sometimes that’s the only way they get money
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
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I went to the fair last week and any place I paid with card also had a tip option..... why do they get tips when musicians don't? Rude.