The Creative Pulse survey report, a collaboration between Panteia and Culture Action Europe, has been published. This comprehensive survey sheds light on the status and working conditions of artists and cultural professionals across Europe, providing invaluable insights into the challenges they face and paving the way for impactful policy actions.
Conducted from December 2023 to February 2024, the survey garnered responses from 1,204 artists and cultural professionals, as well as 293 cultural organisations, institutions, and policymakers (including On the Move). The findings of the survey paint a stark picture of the realities experienced by those in the cultural and creative sectors (CCS).
One of the key revelations of the survey is the prevalence of poor working conditions among artists and CCS professionals, with almost half of respondents reporting experiencing such conditions. Freelancers and self-employed individuals are particularly affected, highlighting the vulnerability of workers in the sector. Furthermore, the survey indicates that over two-thirds of respondents lack access to sufficient social protection, exacerbating the challenges faced by artists and cultural professionals. Many are forced to work multiple jobs, negatively impacting their performance in the arts sector.
Despite these challenges, there is a strong consensus among cultural organisations, institutions, and policymakers surveyed that the EU needs to adopt legislation to address the working conditions of artists and creative professionals. Almost 90% of respondents believe that such legislation would improve conditions in the sector.
There is also a chapter on mobility, which found that 48% of artists and CCS professionals surveyed indicated that they are involved in mobility, which highlights the significance of mobility to the CCS.
The report was authored by Martin Clarke, Wiktoria Kula, Michelle Fengler, Gabriela Pencheva, Rivka Vermeij (Panteia), Lars Ebert, and Luiza Moroz (Culture Action Europe).
