Today we’ve released a summary of the consultation undertaken in late 2019 on the discussion document Sustainable Careers for Artists and Arts Practitioners Umanga Toitū mō ngā Ringa Rehe Toi, me ngā Tohunga Toi.
The purpose of this mahi and the discussion document was to continue the kōrero about what the findings of the Profile of Creative Professionals research (conducted in 2018 in conjunction with NZ On Air) meant, and how we can work together with the arts sector and other stakeholders to better support sustainable careers for artists and arts practitioners.
Read the original discussion document
The release of this report had been delayed due to COVID-19 as we focused on responding to the immediate needs of the sector, so we’re glad to be able to finally share this with you.
Consistent themes raised through the consultation included:
- ongoing issues associated with low pay
- an expectation that creative professionals will work for free or for ‘exposure’
- and a lack of recognition and valuing of creative input.
In addition, there are only a small number of full-time jobs available within the sector, leaving most practitioners vulnerable as contract or ‘gig economy’ workers.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the arts community has further highlighted the precarious nature of the sector and the position of those working within it – making the importance of understanding and working towards improving the sustainability of arts sector careers all the more urgent.
In response to this report, we had planned to develop a roadmap for improving career sustainability over the coming year. However, given our current focus on responding to COVID-19 and its ongoing impact on the arts community, as well as the Government’s significant investment in the arts and culture sector announced in May 2020, we’ll look to pick this up further down the track.
We are, however, committed to advancing work that will support our artists and arts practitioners. Fair remuneration remains a key issue, and as a result, over the coming year Creative New Zealand plans to:
- develop a pay policy to establish best-practice principles for those working in the arts (to complement our existing fair pay guidelines for grants)
- facilitate an industry-led process to develop pay guidelines to set benchmarks for what creative professionals in various roles and at various career stages should be paid
- continue our advocacy work around the value of the arts.
Ngā mihi nui to everyone who participated in the consultation, whether by filling in the online survey, attending sector forums, or participating in the think tank for Māori and Pasifika practitioners. We greatly appreciate you sharing your experiences, your whakaaro and your time.
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