Creative pulse : a survey on the status and working conditions of artists and CCS professionals in Europe

This report highlights the main challenges faced by professionals in these sectors and suggests policy actions. It responds to a recent proposal by the European Parliament for an EU framework to improve living and working conditions for cultural and creative sector (CCS) workers. The report addresses the poor working conditions commonly experienced by artists and CCS professionals. These sectors are known for irregular income and atypical working patterns, leading to weak social protection and inadequate working conditions. Problems such as abusive subcontracting, bogus self-employment, underpaid or unpaid work, and coercive buy-out contracts are widespread. Additionally, high cross-border mobility combined with a lack of portability of social security entitlements creates further challenges. National differences in social systems and definitions of artists exacerbate these issues. Consequently, the survey aims to advocate for meaningful change at the EU level