Council of theEuropean Union
Brussels, 10 November 2023
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CULT 131
EMPL 517
SOC 727
NOTE
From:
To:

General Secretariat of the Council
Permanent Representatives Committee/Council

Subject:

Improving the working conditions for artists and other cultural professionals- Policy Debate

Following consultation of the Cultural Affairs Committee, the Presidency has prepared the attachedbackground note, which is submitted as the basis for the policy debate to take place at theEducation, Youth, Culture and Sport Council meeting on 24 November 2023.

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Improving working conditions for artists and other cultural professionals
Presidency discussion paper
1.

Introduction

Culture is a core element of Europe’s identity and community. It is an integral component ofsustainable development and an indispensable tool for strengthening common European values suchas diversity, the promotion of equality and mutual respect. In addition, culture contributes toprojecting Europe internationally while strengthening social cohesion and generating
unquestionable social benefits as well as economic benefits.
The growing economic relevance of cultural and creative sectors (CCS) should not be forgotten, norshould their potential for growth, especially within the framework of a sustainable, digital andinclusive production model. According to Eurostat, the CCS in the European Union employ 7.7
million people (3.8% of the EU’s total active population) and account for 1.2 million companies.
However, CCS have certain specific features compared to other productive sectors. They include
very diverse and heterogeneous economic activities, where self-employment and micro-enterprises
predominate. In addition, they have a high level of intermittency, and consequently, irregularity intheir incomes. These features have an impact on the sector’s labour market: working conditions areoften marked by instability, a lack of job security, the combination of several jobs, limitations interms of access to contributory benefits or low incomes. CCS therefore have a workforce which,despite being characterised by a high level of education, often faces precarious economic and socialconditions.

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, CCS were one of the most affected economic sectors, and theprecarious conditions facing CCS workers were further evident. This was particularly clear as
culture became one of the main factors ensuring the well-being of society, especially during
lockdowns. The unstable conditions facing artists, professionals and creative and cultural workers
were further exacerbated by the fact that national social security systems did not take account of thelabour particularities unique to CCS.
Currently, despite the progress made by Member States, the working conditions of artists,
professionals and creative and cultural workers have yet to be improved.
At European level, the need for a European statute for artists has been raised several times. A
measure of this kind could help to achieve more appropriate, fair and transparent workingconditions for CCS.
Taking into account the high level of heterogeneity in various Member States, as borne out by thestocktaking exercises in the conclusions on the recovery and sustainability of the cultural andcreative sectors, the work carried out by the European Commission’s OMC expert group on thestatus and working conditions of artists has been of particular relevance. The resulting report,
published in mid-2023, has generated great interest.
Furthermore, it should be noted that significant changes are currently taking place in Europe’s
production model. This, without a doubt, directly affects CCS and their artists, professionals andworkers.

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The transition towards a green and digital economy is creating fresh opportunities for CCS. New
technologies have introduced tools that have changed the processes of creation, production,distribution and consumption of cultural and creative products, modifying existing business modelsand generating new ones. In addition, this trend seems to be accelerating even more with the latest
developments such as artificial intelligence and virtual worlds. At the same time, the European
Green Deal is bringing about changes in citizens’ behaviour and demands, to which CCIs will needto respond.
All these circumstances require learning and training programmes for agents of the cultural
ecosystem to allow them to adapt and evolve. In addition, as well as opportunities, there are alsosignificant challenges that must be reviewed to ensure fair and equitable remuneration throughout
the value chain.
Although most of the challenges faced by the CCS labour market cannot be addressed by culturalpolicies, it seems appropriate to discuss the existing weaknesses and possible ways of improving thesocioeconomic conditions of CCS workers. This would enhance the artistic freedom and creativityof CCS and allow them to flourish. As mentioned in the EU Work Plan for Culture 2023-2026,
ensuring fair working conditions for all cultural and creative professionals is a priority in order toensure that more voices can be heard from this independent and dynamic sector.

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2.

Questions for the debate

On the basis of the above, the Presidency would like to invite Ministers to focus their interventions
on the following issues:
1.

In your country, what new or existing measures have been taken to improve the living
and working conditions of artists, creators and cultural workers?

2.

What aspects could be addressed at European level to achieve a basic common
framework applicable to the working conditions of artists and cultural professionals,
bearing in mind that it should facilitate the mobility of artists and cultural professionalsas a positive achievement for the sector?

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