The report delves into the working conditions for artists and professionals in the creative sector: artist status and social security, fair practice, skills and lifelong learning, and artistic freedom. Alongside a series of formulated recommendations, the report also contains case studies and separate recommendations. The report can be downloaded below.

Art and culture are an integral part of our societies and enrich our lives in many ways. The ability of art to inspire, connect, innovate and bring people from different backgrounds and cultures together is becoming increasingly recognised at EU and Member State levels – not only because of the intrinsic value of culture but also because of its proven social and economic impacts. But does this recognition also extend to the artists and cultural and creative professionals who make this happen? Many of them face precarious working conditions, low, irregular and unpredictable incomes, high levels of self-employment, project-based careers and a lack of legal structures that provide social protection and sustainable frameworks for their career development. Artistic freedom is closely linked to social and economic conditions.

These challenges have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis, which catalysed a growing awareness and political momentum to tackle artists’ working conditions. The improvement and strengthening of a fair and decent working environment have already been demanded for a long time by representative organisations and networks of the cultural and creative sectors (CCS) EU-wide and beyond.