Practices Tag

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Outcomes research on professional practice of digital cultural artists and creators: A vast field without strict boundaries

15 October 2024

Publication: 15/10/24 | Photo: Tom Mesic

The Digital Culture chain table collected information on the independent professional practice of digital culture artists and creators based in the Netherlands. The goal: to be able to form a full picture of how digital culture artists and creators organize their professional practice, to gain insight into the current working conditions within the digital culture sector and to identify suitable and desirable working conditions. The results of this research are now available in the survey report “Digital Culture: A Vast Field Without Strict Boundaries.

Survey design and purpose

In March 2024, the Digital Culture chain table collected information from digital cultural artists and creators based in the Netherlands about their independent professional practice through an anonymous survey. 29 questions were asked, 11 of which were mandatory, divided into 5 categories:

  1. Profile
  2. Type of activities
  3. Reward
  4. Bandwidth of income
  5. Opinion on fair practice

The survey was conducted in both Dutch and English because of the large proportion of international digital culture artists and creators based in the Netherlands. Therefore, the report will soon be made available in English as well. The survey was fully completed by 87 respondents.

Not only do the survey results provide insight into how digital cultural artists and creators organize their professional practice and the current working conditions within the digital culture sector, they also serve as input for the Fair Practice Guide. The Fair Practice Guide is a document prepared by the chain table, led by Marije Baalman, that digital cultural artists and creators will be able to use when composing or negotiating their fees.

View all the practice tools from the Digital Culture chain table under the ‘practice tools’ heading.

Key survey findings

The survey results show that the digital cultural artist and creator is a jack-of-all-trades who performs many activities and work, within different roles and phases of the work process. Many of these activities and work are unfunded or underfunded. Respondents indicated that especially the writing of (concept) proposals and fund applications, travel time, maintenance of the work and research are insufficiently funded by the client. For more than half of the respondents, however, research is one of the three most frequently performed activities within professional practice, next to “design” and “storytelling. Because of insufficient funding, many unpaid hours are invested in assignments and projects. Only one respondent indicated that they never invest unpaid hours.

Awareness of the digital culture maker’s many roles necessary

Although respondents feel a very high urgency for fair and better pay at all, enforcing and implementing fair pay is difficult. The aspects on which funds measure, tight client budgets and not being able to determine the hourly rate themselves are, among other things, obstacles on the road to fair pay. Fair pay for digital cultural artists and creators requires, among both clients and the professionals themselves, greater awareness of the many roles that digital cultural artists and creators take on, and the work and activities that are performed as an extension of these, within the various phases that make up the work process.

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Fair Practice meeting for The Hague’s cultural and creative sector on Oct. 24

1 October 2024

Publication: 01/10/24 | Photo: Rob Oo

A future-proof cultural sector is badly needed. Are you working in or for the cultural and creative sector in The Hague and would you like to share and exchange what Fair Practice and Fair Pay means for your own organization? Or are you curious what it can mean for the future of the sector? Then come on October 24 to the Fair Practice meeting for the cultural and creative sector in The Hague and the municipal policy makers involved.

For creative sector The Hague

Anyone working in or for the cultural and creative sector in The Hague with special interest in the labor market issues therein. Think of makers, technicians, production workers, municipal policy makers, directors, business leaders, HR staff, members of boards of directors and supervisory boards. In short: everyone working in the cultural sector in The Hague who is interested in Fair Practice and Fair Pay.

Challenges creative sector Hague

During this meeting we will discuss together what the current situation is around Fair Practice and Fair Pay in the cultural sector in The Hague. We will discuss the challenges and tools offered to meet those challenges. There is an opportunity to share experiences and exchange with each other from both municipal and sectoral perspectives.

Not yet familiar with Fair Practice? Check out the code of conduct.

Especially for municipalities, Platform ACCT and the Association of Dutch Municipalities developed the handbook ‘Of estimable value’. ‘.

Speakers and program

Speakers: Jeroen Laven (Municipality of The Hague), Arjen Lakerveld (management consultation The Hague Performing Arts/Haags Cultuur Overleg (HCO)), Fenna van Hout (Association of Dutch Municipalities), Noud van de Rhee (Platform ACCT), Wouter Touw (CAOP)

Location: CAOP – Lange Voorhout 14, The Hague – room 157/158

Program:

3 p.m.

Welcome – Municipality of The Hague – Jeroen Laven


Introduction round

3:10 p.m.

Brief introduction – CAOP – Wouter Touw

3:15 p.m.

10 years of focus on the labor market in the cultural and creative sector – Where are we now? – Noud van de Rhee (Platform ACCT)

3:25 p.m.

Handbook ‘Of estimable value’ explained
Fenna van Hout (VNG)

3:45 p.m.

Short break

4 p.m.

Plenary discussion among attendees – experiences with and questions about Fair Practice in The Hague’s cultural and creative sector – led by Arjen Lakerveld (Directieoverleg Haagse Podiumkunsten/Haags Cultuur Overleg (HCO))

5 p.m.

Conclusion and possible follow-up actions

5:30 p.m.

Drink

Sign up

Register at secr-zorgcultuursport@caop.nl, quoting Fair Practice CCS The Hague. There is room for about 30 people, so register quickly.

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What is Fair Practice and how can it advance your daily practice? Sign up for the International Clinic: Fair Practice on Sept. 19!

13 September 2024

Publication: 13/09/24 | Photo: Salih Kilic

International Clinic 2024: Fair Practice

Location: New Institute

Date: Thursday, Sept. 19

Time: 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Language: English

Participation: free of charge

What is Fair Practice and how can it advance your daily practice? How can you help make the design and cultural field fairer? And how does Fair Practice work in an international context? These are some of the questions addressed during a conversation with people from cultural organizations and practitioners, followed by breakout sessions with fairPACCT.

Using the Fair Practice Code in the Netherlands, a moral compass for anyone working in or with the creative sector, we reflect on our cultural practice based on the code’s five values: solidarity, diversity, trust, sustainability and transparency.

Program

  • 15:30 PM | Conversation on Fair Practice with Marije Baalman (curator, activist and participant roundtable Digital Culture fairPACCT), Noud van de Rhee (program manager fairPACCT), Yassine Salihine (product designer), Elena Polivtseva (independent researcher, co-founder Culture Policy Toom) and Simon de Leeuw (program maker, secretary EUNIC NL & Global Focal Point), moderated by Servaz van Berkum.
  • 4:30 pm | Breakout sessions: Social Safety & Fair Pay/Fair Practice
  • 5:30 p.m. | Networking drinks
  • 6:30 p.m. | End of the program

Register here for free to participate in the International Clinic 2024: Fair Practice

This event coincides with the New Institute’s free Thursday Night Detour. Guests can visit the exhibitions for free between 5:00-21:00 pm and participate in a Thursday Night Detour at 7:00 pm.

International Clinics

The International Clinics provide a platform for Dutch-based designers to gain more insight into the opportunities, challenges and best practices of working internationally. The International Clinics are organized quarterly with partners DutchCulture, Creative Industries Fund NL and the Diplomatic Network. The Clinic offer creators an opportunity to share international knowledge, experiences and networks in order to build meaningful collaborations.

For more information, contact Marie-Anne Souloumiac.

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New Chain Table Visual Arts and first practical tool: updated guideline for artists’ fees

13 May 2024

Photo: Wikimedia

In October 2023 the starting signal was given and on March 22, 2024 the new chain table Visual Arts was launched. The chain table is formed by members of (branch) organizations that have been affiliated with BKNL (Beeldende Kunst Nederland) for some time. All links in the visual arts chain are represented: professional art education, visual artists’ organizations, galleries, art fairs, presentation institutions and museums. The Mondriaan Fund is a listener to the chain table. BKNL continues to exist as an informal consultation for knowledge sharing and interest representation in particular.

Intended activities
The chain table Visual Arts is working on the (by)develop practice tools, under the Fair Practice Code for the visual arts. These include maintenance and further updating of the 2023 Artist Fee Directive and the National General Conditionn Art Commissions from 2015. The chain table further aims to contribute to the Collective Selfie with an image of the sector (4e edition 2019, recalibration in 2024). On continuation of the chain table by 2025 may also include: work contributions/professional expenses, (socially) safe working environment plus conditions for rent and use of studios and incubators.

First praking tool: updated Directive Artists’ fees with subsidy
The updated 2023 Artists’ Remuneration Guidelines, effective 2025, was made in accordance with the practice at the fairPACCT chain tables. Therefore, it has been adopted by the Fine Arts chain table as its first fair pay practice tool. It concerns fees for artists at non-sales-oriented exhibitions and related linked assignments. The Mondrian Fund has a grant scheme to assist in the costs of the existing and of the updated directive.

View the updated Artists’ Fees Guidelines here.

Learn more

FairPACCT chain table Visual Arts

(continue reading under the heading ‘current’ or ‘across the table’)

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The value of professional photography highlighted

30 April 2024

Design: Formfest

The chain table Photography of Platform ACCT/fairPACCT aims to improve the position of photographers in the labor market. The first question that arose was: what social and cultural value is attached to this sub-sector and the profession? This is made clear in the 1st practice tool from the chain table: ‘The value of professional photography’.

Report shows great and diverse value
Three authors worked with the chain table to address the question of value. Based on 12 interviews with six workers and six clients, the overall conclusion in their report is: the value of professional photography is considered high. Nine values were specifically mentioned and described. Such as window on the world, show the truth, be immediate, make recognizable, be accessible, convince, make visible, offer emotion, capture. Furthermore, the optics on the future with AI is: good photographers with a strong vision, own style and clear story will keep assignments.

Desire for two-year program
At the same time, it was recognized in the interviews that talking about photography and naming its underlying values is done too little. This applies to the photographer as well as the user and viewer. More help should be given to the profession to be more aware of the value they add and represent. There should therefore be a program, starting at two years, to grow (self)confidence in photography and begin to better utilize its social and cultural value. The program consists of three focal points: debate and meeting, education and communication.

Already the podcast ‘Everyone takes pictures’
One of the authors of the report on the value of photography, given the urgency, has started working on more communication right away. Anne Bloemendaal of Flowerdales Agency now has the podcast ‘Everyone takes pictures’ in which she explores the value of photography in more detail. She talks to photographers, clients and others about various current themes.

Read and listen further

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‘Reference framework rates digital culture’ provides insight into fair rates for digital culture creators and artists

22 April 2024

Image: Martin Hieslmair

Digital culture makers and artists often have an interdisciplinary practice between art and technology, between performance and installation, and between researcher and technical producer. This makes this sub-sector complex and makes it difficult to get a handle on what are fair rewards for digital culture makers and artists. High time, then, to investigate what rates and working conditions apply within subsectors similar to digital culture. The Digital Culture Chain Table of Platform ACCT, for example, has had a frame of reference drawn up by research firm Social Finance Matters.

“To strengthen the income position of creators in digital culture and arrive at fair rates, it is helpful, if not necessary, to have references of what is ‘fair’ in other sectors that are similar or reminiscent in some respects of the work of creators in digital culture,” Social Finance Matters said. The reference framework provides an overview of working conditions and rates applicable for performing work and holding positions within the design, visual arts, engineering and research sub-sectors. Prior to and during the creation of the frame of reference, it was determined by the chain table participants and Social Finance Matters that these subsectors show the most affinity with digital culture.

Download the reference framework here. 

The frame of reference can be used as a guide by digital culture creators and artists when setting or negotiating rates. Clients within this sub-sector can also consult the frame of reference. In line with the frame of reference, the Digital Culture chain table will establish a zzp surcharge. Experience shows that digital culture makers and artists often incur additional structural costs for setting up and running their independent professional practice.

Curious about the progress of the chain table Digital Culture? On the website or through the newsletter of the program fairPACCT you can stay informed!

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Survey on professional practice of photographers for fair compensation in the cultural sector

7 March 2024

Design: Graphic Happiness

Platform ACCT (Labor Market Cultural and Creative Future) works towards a stronger labor market position for workers in the cultural and creative sector. This is done together with the main stakeholders in the Netherlands.

The aim is to reach agreements through a social dialogue between work providers and workers. It involves people in permanent or temporary employment plus self-employed and freelancers.
So that you are paid fair pay for the work you provide. The program fairPACCT
helps with chain tables of stakeholders and independent researchers.

In the kfood table Photography we are working with clients and photographers in the cultural sector to determine what constitutes fair compensation. To do this, we need a better understanding of how much time is spent on various activities and what costs a photographer may or may not be reimbursed for.

You would greatly help us, yourself and your fellow photographers, if you complete this survey. Because insight is the first step to improvement. So please feel free to forward the link to a fellow photographer. It will take you 15-20 minutes to complete the questionnaire. Technical Tip: Please answer all questions and do not leave the survey midway. Completion is possible through March 31. Your answers will be processed completely anonymously.

The survey results will be published on the fairPACCT website in the spring. More information about the Photography Chain Table can already be found there.

In all this, special thanks to the professional organization DuPho (Dutch Photographers).

Click here to take the survey.

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Research on the professional practice of digital cultural artists and creators and appropriate working conditions

4 March 2024

Design: Graphic Happiness

As an independent artist or creator in digital culture, you will engage in a diverse and interdisciplinary sub-sector, with a practice between art and technology, and with work ranging from concept to final product. Presentations of your work may take place at events, exhibitions or as interactive programs. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of the work and the different roles you often take in the process, from technical producer to performer, the digital culture sector is complex.

What does your professional practice look like? What fees do you receive in return for your work? What are your sources of income? Answers to these questions help us form a full picture of the current working conditions within the digital culture sector. And to make an inventory of which working conditions are appropriate and desired. We therefore encourage you to this questionnaire* to complete.

The questionnaire is an initiative of the Digital Culture chain table of the fairPACCT program. Through this chain table, digital culture professionals are working together on fair pay and fair practice for workers in this sub-sector. For example, the chain table is currently compiling a Fair Practice Guide, which outlines what factors to consider when composing or negotiating your rates. Among other things, the results of this survey will serve as input for the development of this Fair Practice Guide.

This questionnaire:

  • is anonymous (and we handle the results with care)
  • It is best to fill in on your laptop
  • takes fifteen minutes to complete
  • can be completed until Monday, March 25 (note: this was previously March 18)

We thank you very much in advance for your cooperation!

Click here to complete the Dutch version of the survey.

Click here to go to the English version of the survey.

* Please note that this questionnaire is intended for all artists and creators based in the Netherlands within the digital culture sector, who work independently. Digital culture has the following subdisciplines: Art-Science, Audiovisual, Biohacking, Coding, Databases, Digital Fabrication, Digital storytelling, Games, Hacking, Interactive Art, Online Media, Performance, Postdigital and Product Development.

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Jazz/World/Impro chain table presents plans for fair pay rates at New Music Conference

3 November 2023

Photo: New Music Conference

Paneldiscussion ‘Towards fair pay in music practice’

Location: Clubroom, Verkadefabriek ‘s-Hertogenbosch

Date: November 9

Time: 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.

Language: Dutch

With: Pieter Hunfeld (researcher Knyfe, musician), Noud van de Rhee (chairman Chain Table, program manager), Sonja Heimann (director World Music Forum), Susanne Alt (BIMpro)

The fairPACCT chain table Jazz/World/Impro together with agency Knyfe present their plans for fair pay rates in the sub-sector. A comparison will be made with progress at the previously launched chain tables Pop Musicians and Freelance Classical Musicians.

The chain table is composed of various sections. It involves composers and (composing) musicians. It also includes programming venues and festivals. Some (online) broadcasters are also connected as well as representatives of intermediaries, rights organizations, professional education and the jazz archive.

Members unanimously noted that there is limited and even less and less attention to the jazz/world/impro genres by responsible governments, funds, broadcasters and institutions. They feel that there must at least be improvement in this, as it is highly determinant of the earning potential of working people.

Buy your tickets to the New Music Conference here.

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Breakfast session and panel discussion with chain table Digital Culture at Dutch Design Week

20 October 2023

Photo: Incentive Fund

Breakfast session and paneldiscussion: the future of Digital Culture

Location: Porter’s Lodge

Date: Oct. 27

Time: 10 a.m.-11 p.m.

Language: English

Start-ups from the digital culture field have been invited to participate in a panel discussion during Dutch Design Week, organized by the Stimulation Fund in collaboration with Platform ACCT. Established professionals and participants of the chain table Digital Culture of the program fairPACCT will discuss professional practice with the attendees of this breakfast session. Since May of this year, the participants of the chain table have been working together to create better working conditions in the fields of new technologies, new media, games and the virtual domain. During the panel discussion, they will engage with industry start-ups about the challenges, opportunities and possibilities in the digital culture sector. New insights and perspectives will contribute to the chain table’s journey toward concretizing the fair practice code.

Will you join us for breakfast? Sign up using this form.