This report consolidates the findings of the 2018 global survey conducted by UNESCO on the implementation of the 1980 Recommendation concerning the Status of the Artist, gathering data from 52 Member States, 39 NGOs, and 2 INGOs. Authored by Garry Neil, the study provides a comprehensive global overview of artists’ working conditions in light of legal, economic, and social challenges. The document is structured into four main thematic chapters: policy and legislative frameworks, the digital environment, transnational mobility, and human rights and freedoms. Across these domains, it highlights structural vulnerabilities artists face, such as precarious income, lack of social security, and inadequate legal recognition. It documents how various countries, especially in the Global South, have developed or are developing “Status of the Artist” laws, establishing income support, healthcare access, and copyright protections. The report devotes significant attention to the impact of the digital shift, underlining issues of fair remuneration and the value gap caused by global streaming platforms. It also explores growing restrictions on artists’ freedom of movement, particularly under security and visa regimes, and emphasizes the importance of safeguarding artistic freedom in the face of censorship and digital surveillance. Gender inequality emerges as a recurring theme, with disparities in pay, representation, and exposure to harassment still prevalent. By illustrating best practices, legislative innovations, and case studies from different regions, the report affirms the need for holistic, cross-sectoral approaches to supporting artists’ rights. It serves as both a monitoring tool and a call to action, reinforcing the necessity of aligning cultural policy with human rights frameworks and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially those addressing gender equality, decent work, and reduced inequalities.

https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000371790