Creativity and innovation underpin the growing influence of the cultural and creative industries globally, which generate $2.25 trillion in annual revenues and employ nearly 30 million people, particularly youth and women with higher education levels (UNESCO, 2019). Yet, despite this economic prominence, artists themselves face precarious conditions characterized by freelance and part-time work, fluctuating incomes, and minimal social protection. This disparity undermines access to welfare systems and contributes to systemic inequities, especially among female artists, who disproportionately occupy part-time roles (UNESCO, 2019). A pertinent case study is the UNESCO 2018 global survey on the implementation of the 1980 Recommendation on the Status of the Artist, revealing the uneven enforcement of protective measures across countries. The digital shift further complicates matters by consolidating power among tech giants, restricting artists’ remuneration and autonomy (UNESCO, 2019). The conclusion advocates for revised social protection frameworks that account for the atypical work structures of artists, alongside legal safeguards for their rights.
UNESCO, 2019. Culture & working conditions for artists: Implementing the 1980 Recommendation concerning the Status of the Artist.
