In our “Systemcheck” study, we found that self-employed and hybrid workers in the performing arts earned a net income of around €20,500 in 2021 – while the national average in Germany was just over €27,000[1]. This low income also means that little provision is made or can be made for situations such as illness, old age, or periods without work.

To improve the social conditions of freelance professionals, we advocate for:

• a fair, appropriate, and livelihood-securing level of pay
• resilient social security in cases of caregiving, illness, accident, unemployment, old age, and incapacity for work
• diversity-sensitive and low-discrimination funding structures that reflect the working conditions and needs of the independent performing arts

In 2015, we introduced the minimum fee guideline for the independent performing arts and have been continually developing it ever since. In 2024, it was recognised by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (Beauftragten für Kultur und Medien, BKM) as a reference for appropriate remuneration. Since July 2024, it has been mandatory for all BKM-funded projects.

Further milestones included our research projects “Systemcheck” (2021–2023) and “Study on Social Conditions” (2023–2025). Both provided scientifically grounded analyses of the economic and social conditions in the sector. While “Systemcheck” focused exclusively on the performing arts, the “Study on Social Conditions” broadened the perspective to encompass the entire cultural and creative industries.

[1] https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/74510/umfrage/nettogehalt-im-jahr-je-arbeitnehmer-in-deutschland/