Culture and fair pay for all
Photo: Lars Lensink | Publication: 14/06/24
On June 6 Utrecht hosted the ‘Meet-Up Fair Pay and Fair Practice‘. Organized by fairPACCT, Cultureon and ZIMIHC Connect. De fair pay practical tools for self-employed workers from the chain table Art professionals in Cultural Education and Amateur Arts stondand central. The conclusion: culture én fair pay are nood for everyone, but sometimes difficult to realize.
The value of self-employed workers
Bertien Minco, chair of the chain table and longtime self-employed, reported that art professionals often receive limited fees, even below the minimum wage. They emphasized that it is important for every self-employed person to be beseffand: What am I worth? What is my value to society? In itself, a boring subject. But in the chain table, workers, clients and mediators nevertheless enthusiastically started working on this, together with an expert independent researcher.
Simple digital calculation tool rates
Karin Boelhouwer, kdinner table member and beinterests at the Arts Union, memorphed that the table 13 professional practices in cultural education and amateur arts has recognized, each with its own fair pay hourly rate. This has done based on a reference framework of collective bargaining agreements and a survey of 1,000 respondents. She demonstrated a simple digital calculation tool that professionals and clients can use to h un rates can charge. The intention is to use the digiPACCT calculation tool from 2019 to be adapted in parts adjust given this new tool.
Vegalitarian professional organisations
Ellen van der Rijt, chief operating officer of ZIMIHC, emphasized that fair pay diverse in its type of versatile institution. Lessons are given, but it also involves facilitate, support and produce. The cultural houses with a similar situation, united in the Pa rticipation Federation, therefore want their own CBA. Housing has already become more expensive, and it will possibly be with the spending on the working people. As the linchpin for participation and education within a neighborhood (or village) organizations are of great value. Yet more subsidy is not expected. But do less for residents, who are often tight on cashtten, is not a welcome option.
Voluntary organizations in the amateur arts
Ruben Timmer, policy advisor and network manager at Koornetwerk, noted that there are 750,000 choral singers in our country and an estimated 25,000 amateur choirs. Their value includes personal development and social cohesion. They usually receive guidance from professional conductors, who deserve fair pay. That is why Choir Network participated in the chain table. Choirs’ income is overall: 1/3 members, 1/3 activities, 1/3 third-party funds such as grants. But expenses are rising and with income there is often no indexation, subsidies are even declining in many cases. Members pay on average about € 200 to € 300 per year. Using differentiation in rates as a solution, for example, is poorly workable for these volunteer organizations.
Outdoor Events
Special attention was in the Meet-Up requested for outdoor street events. These are important to bring culture to people. Also can They have an economic value to the attractiveness of a (shopping) area have. But it is not technically feasible to charge an entrance fee for that. So an organizer often depends on subsidy. If it doesn’t come or comes at a lower rate, then there are two choices: stop or let the professionals less pay. Often the working still participate zeleven even zunder fee. But is this fair from fair pay point of view?
Solidarity and cooperation
The Fair Practice Code talks about fair chain. But solidarity is difficult, especially in a time of budget cuts. In the national BIS, the financial framework includes fair pay clear. Yet the applicants also there often competitors of each other. This is true definitely binnen provinces and municipalities. In the Meat-Up was one of the opinion that the biggest players more responsibility would can take for the others. Also, would promoted cooperation to reduce overhead costs, for example must become.
Position culturegrantors
Elke Huiskens, policy advisor on culture for the province of Utrecht, stated that fair pay within culture starting point in the college coalition agreement. But no amount is mentioned with it. The reference is the €36 million that from the state and the national cultural funds nationwide available. Plus the fact that small institutions have relatively higher fair pay additional costs than larger ones. Research will be done on the incremental costs and based on that there will be a roadmap.
More resources from other domains
Culture makes an important contribution to society. Ghealth and well-being are promoted. The innovative, creative and self-thinking ability gets a boost. Hhe enhancement of livability and attractiveness is also relevant. All of this is repeatedly demonstrated by practice, but also from oresearch. Yet culture is still poorly succeeding in leveraging resources from other domains. For example, from the social, physical or economic domain. There would according to the Meet-Up yet need to put more effort into it. Bertien Minco, founder and previously director of the Youth Fund for Sports and Culture, was of the opinion that in any case apply everywhere from poverty alleviation for cultural participation used would should be.