Historic EU Declaration Promises Better Pay & Conditions For Artists

For the first time, the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission will jointly sign a political declaration recognising culture as a strategic priority for Europe under the title “Europe for Culture – Culture for Europe”.

The declaration establishes a shared long-term vision for cultural policy across the EU, bringing together the three institutions at the highest political level.

It sets out two complementary approaches: “Europe for culture”, which focuses on supporting access, participation and fair working conditions for artists and cultural professionals, and “culture for Europe”, which highlights culture’s role in strengthening democracy, resilience, community cohesion and Europe’s global influence.

The initiative builds on the Culture Compass for Europe, launched in November 2025, which is the Commission’s first major cultural strategy since 2018. It links cultural rights, artistic freedom and support for the creative sector with broader EU priorities such as democracy and social cohesion.

The declaration outlines 12 guiding principles and is intended to ensure long-term political commitment to cultural policy.

It also forms the first deliverable of the Culture Compass, which will be followed by a series of initiatives, including a structured dialogue with cultural stakeholders in 2026, a Youth Cultural Ambassadors network, and an EU Artists Charter.

Further plans include an AI strategy for cultural sectors, a new European Prize for Performing Arts, and proposals for improved cultural data and youth culture access schemes. The European Commission has also proposed doubling the EU culture budget for 2028 to 2034.

Officials say the agreement reflects a shared belief that investment in culture supports democracy, economic growth and Europe’s identity on the global stage.

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