Zarządzanie i Teatr. O Statusie Artysty W Polsce
Management and Theater. On the Status of the Artist in Poland

Summary/Abstract: In Europe, the role of artists in the process of developing culture and creative industries was recognized as early as the 1970s, as evidenced by different resolutions of international organizations or later the European Parliament. These documents stated that art can be a profession. In order to practice art at the highest level, it is important to develop an interest in art in childhood. The profession of an artist is a continuous one, and covers not only the time of presenting the final effect but also the time of preparation for work, which should be factored in when calculating retirement benefits. The most urgent issues artists have to deal with include: protecting the profession of an artist/performer with social security (health and pension benefits); uncertain and unsteady employment; and low and irregular income dependent on the repertoire and staffing policy established by institution management. In the case of freelancers: long periods without any income, tax regulations related to the work performed by artists, copyright revenue, irregular working hours, lack of incentives for producers to hire professional artists and creators instead of cheaper amateurs. Lack of systematic solutions which would guarantee at least minimal social security. The above-mentioned documents were not followed up by any changes in Poland to expand the tools which secure artists’ social rights. Neither the status of artists has been clarified nor has their social and financial situation improved. Out of the few studies on the economic condition of an artist/performer, my paper quotes the one endorsed by ZASP (Association of Polish Stage Artists) entitled “Artysto scen polskich, powiedz nam, za co żyjesz?” (“Polish Stage Artists, Tell Us How You Make a Living”), which involved 599 respondents.

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