Artists in Victoria are in a crisis.

With cost-of-living pressures and rising rents, it is practically impossible to get by. Many artists and arts workers face insecure work contracts and funding instabilities. They need multiple jobs just to stay afloat. 

A recent report from Creative Australia has revealed that ⅘ of artists are unable to meet their essential needs from their art work alone. As this persists, more creative professionals will leave the sector in order to survive. 

This is a crisis that affects every Victorian. 

Art is fundamental to our society. It brings us joy, fun, deep thinking, connection with each other, and new ways of understanding the world and our place in it. 

It’s time we properly valued the work of artists, with a living wage to give them the stability to create the work that will define us into the future. To support our artists, musicians, comedians, theatremakers, writers, dancers and more.  

We call upon the state government to introduce a living wage for artists pilot program. This will give 2000 practicing artists and arts workers a living wage for three years ($55,392 p.a) to create, make mistakes and develop their work. 

Because passion doesn’t pay the rent.