Latin cantons want to provide more support for the cultural sector
Published: Friday, Apr 26th 2024, 18:50
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The French-speaking cantons and Ticino want to improve the framework conditions for the cultural sector. The eight cultural directors presented a joint strategy on Friday.
"The Covid 19 crisis has highlighted the essential nature of culture for the population and at the same time the economic insecurity of cultural professionals," explained seven state councillors responsible for culture in their cantons (Vaud, Geneva, Valais, Fribourg, Neuchâtel, Jura and Ticino) at the joint media conference.
"The compensation measures during Covid 19 have highlighted the structural vulnerability of the cultural sector that already existed before the pandemic, particularly with regard to the legal and economic situation of a large number of people in this sector," it said.
"The median income across all functions there is around CHF 40,000 per year, only half of which comes from the main artistic activity. As a result of this low income, social security cover is generally incomplete," they noted.
Five focal points
The strategy to strengthen the cultural sector in French-speaking Switzerland comprises five main axes. The aim is to clarify the legal and economic status of cultural professionals, improve their remuneration and occupational benefits, improve information and training, harmonize cantonal support mechanisms and, finally, take better account of the public in cultural promotion policy.
Several examples were cited to improve wages, such as wage cooperatives, the strengthening of scholarships or multi-year agreements between the canton, city, institution, event or event. Social security clearly needs to be improved in order to guarantee a satisfactory pension later on, according to the respondents.
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