Performing Arts Festivals Sector Table
Appropriate rates and favorable conditions within Performing Arts Festivals
Objective
Developing a job classification system with a salary structure including executive positions, standard regulations for secondary employment conditions, and a guideline for (starting) rates for freelancers working side-by-side with employees.
Type of activity:
Duration:
Participants:
The chain table graphic is under development.
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About the Table
The Performing Arts Festivals Sector Table commenced in June 2025 and is focused on two phases:
PHASE 1 in 2025
1. Job classification system with salary structure including executive positions
2. Standard regulations for secondary employment conditions
3. Guideline for (starting) rates for freelancers working side-by-side with employees
PHASE 2 from 2026 (exact timing to be determined)
4. Guideline for (starting) rates for performing actors and others without a Collective Labor Agreement (CAO)
5. Guide for (social) safety including financial responsibilities and risks
6. Code of conduct
Those working at and for the organizations are included in phase 1.
Those performing there are included in phase 2.
To some extent, the guidelines for people on stage can be derived from collective labor agreements (CAOs). In other cases, such CAOs do not exist: many performing artists are not covered by them. Reference can be made to rates established by other Sector Tables, for example, for three types of performing musicians and for authors/spoken word artists. For actors and dancers not covered by the Theatre and Dance CAO, no guidelines have yet been created by other Sector Tables, nor for circus artists.
The United Performing Arts Festivals indicated that a further inventory of current employment conditions and working environments should be initiated. In doing so, wishes for improvement in light of fair pay are being mapped out. This study, titled ‘Preliminary Study on Remuneration in Performing Arts Festivals’, has since been conducted by Bureau HTH Research and is currently under consultation by the Sector Table members.
Additionally, it is useful for the Sector Table to take note of current developments in the (sub)sector. For instance, various performing arts organizations (companies and venues) are currently working to align their job classification systems within the CAOs. This is being carried out with the assistance of job evaluation agency AWVN and is (partially) funded by Platform ACCT. It is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026. Most performing arts festivals do not currently fall under the scope of existing CAOs.
A Sector Table has also been launched for technical suppliers for events. Lineke Burghout of the NAPK holds a seat there, specifically to monitor the overlap/comparison with existing CAOs.
Participants
Participants in this sector table include festival directors/executives, freelancers, the coordinator of The United Performing Arts Festivals, and a representative from the Kunstenbond.
The United Performing Arts Festivals is an informal partnership of more than 60 mostly nationally subsidized festivals. The objective includes better anchoring the role, position, and significance of festivals within the cultural infrastructure of the Netherlands. This applies both locally and nationally, financially as well as in terms of public perception. This strengthens the operation of the festivals and allows the power of the performing arts to emerge more effectively.