Implementing the Artists’ Alliance Model
The Finnish Musicians’ Union calls for the improvement and development of conditions for self-employed individuals and sole traders in various ways, as well as fair compensation for music performers for streaming use. One of the goals is to pilot the artist alliance. A report submitted in 2019 concluded that there are no obstacles to implementing the alliance.
An alliance is a employment model designed for freelance artists, where freelancers who meet its membership criteria are offered a professional, financial, and social safety net in the form of employment. The alliance would facilitate artists’ livelihoods and enable work instead of temporary unemployment periods.
In addition, the alliance is a dynamic community whose interests include the development of the sector and enabling work. The alliance also trains its members and promotes employment as a network builder and skill developer. At the same time, it enables freelancers to access many benefits that are commonplace for permanent employees, such as occupational health care.
The alliance benefits not only the artists themselves but also society in many ways. It reduces unemployment benefit costs, and with increased employment among artists, it promotes the vitality of art forms and people’s well-being.
The pilot of the alliance advocated by the Musicians’ Union would target performing arts professionals, such as dancers, actors, and musicians.
On January 29, 2019, Professor Seppo Koskinen submitted a report and proposal for initiating an artist alliance pilot to the Ministry of Education and Culture (in Finnish). The report concluded that there were no obstacles to implementing the alliance. Similar artist alliance activities exist in Sweden and Norway.