IPOL | Policy Department for Structural and Cohesion Policies
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY KEY FINDINGS •
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The coexistence across Europe of multiple definitions of ‘artists’ as well as competing frameworks specifically aimed at them hinders a unified recognition of artists’ labour status. COVID-19 accelerated pre-existing trends and inequities, which created a sense of urgency to tackle the situation on a European level. Several factors explain the precariousness of artists. These include: the non-standard nature of their working conditions, status and income, and artists’ propensity for crossborder mobility. Recent and ongoing European initiatives (e.g. collective bargaining agreements) are likely to have a positive impact on the working conditions of artists. However, the former intersect with many other policy fields, e.g. competition, the internal market, social policy, fundamental rights. Therefore, such European initiatives are insufficient to address all challenges faced by artists. A European framework for working conditions in cultural and creative sectors and industries would provide a multidimensional, holistic and coherent policy instrument, helping to establish minimum standards, addressing structural fragilities and inequities. The framework would contribute to the sustainability of the cultural and creative sectors and industries after COVID-19, together with immediate forms of actions (access to funding, administrative support, etc.).
Culture is at the basis of the European project: it brings our societies together and shapes their common future. Therefore, it carries an important intrinsic value. It also contributes significantly to the economy, with 4.2% 1 of the EU GDP and 7.4 million jobs created 2. As others have put it, “the cultural and creative economy is now a European heavyweight”. 3 However, the sector faces an uncertain future. COVID-19 accelerated pre-existing trends, including precariousness and inequity. Facing destitution, many professionals may leave the sector and thousands of institutions may close. With them, accumulated knowledge and skills would be permanently lost, and the cultural and creative ecosystem would be profoundly weakened. A solution to tackle this challenge includes strengthening the status of artists and cultural workers and, with it, the resilience of the sector. The 1980 UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of the Artist asks Member States to improve artists’ professional, social and economic status through policies and measures “related to training, social security, employment, income and tax conditions, mobility and freedom of expression.” In 2018, the Commission’s New European Agenda for Culture acknowledged the social and economic impact of culture. More recently, in September 2020, the European Parliament adopted
European Investment Fund (2019), Market Analysis of the cultural and creative sectors in Europe. Eurostat (2020), Cultural Statistics – cultural employment. 3 Ernst & Young (2021), Rebuilding Europe: The cultural and creative economy before and after the COVID-19 crisis, p. 13. 1 2
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