Binz campaigns for minimum fees for artists
Rhineland-Palatinate's Culture Minister Katharina Binz is campaigning for minimum fees for freelance artists. "Corona has revealed the working and production conditions of freelance artists," recalled the Green politician in an interview with the German Press Agency in Mainz. "They were there from one day to the next and didn't know how they were supposed to work." This showed: "There is a lack of security."
The situation of freelance artists is not sustainable. "It's about them being able to protect themselves," said Binz. "Culture must also be worth something to us." Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth (Greens) had already said that in future, only those who are also oriented towards these fee rates should receive federal funding. "And that's what we're aiming for in Rhineland-Palatinate."
Rhineland-Palatinate, like the conference of state culture ministers, is therefore campaigning for minimum fees for artists that are "as binding as possible". "So far, they have negotiated their hourly rates freely." She is in talks with the associations and a "fee matrix" has already been drawn up for this purpose. However, Binz did not mention any possible sums. "Then we might have to increase the funding, but then we might also be able to fund less."
The government’s push for minimum fees for artists aims to provide a sense of security in their work, recognizing its inherent value as an art form. This initiative aligns with the stance of federal funding, where only artists adhering to these fee rates will be considered eligible.
Source: www.dpa.com
