?? Art Saves Countdown #9: Prioritize Artist Representation ??

Artists have always been at the forefront of social movements, using our creativity to inspire change, amplify marginalized voices, and challenge entrenched systems of power. But when it comes to decisions about our livelihoods, we are frequently excluded or worse yet, our activism stolen. This isn’t just ironic—it’s a systemic failure.

Today, cultural policies and programs affecting artists are rarely shaped by the artists themselves.

According to a 2023 UNESCO report (ironic!), the majority of cultural initiatives worldwide are designed by administrators and policymakers—people who are not experiencing the precariousness of a full time creative livelihood. Fewer than 20% of cultural policies involve direct input from professional artists. This disconnect has left critical decisions about the future of art in the hands of those who don’t understand its challenges.

How can we expect meaningful change for artists when the people making the rules don’t know what it means to be one?

The Fight for Representation

Artists are more than performers or creators—we are cultural leaders. Yet, our voices are often reduced to decoration. We are invited to perform or contribute our work to projects but are rarely given seats at the table where decisions are made. Large funding support is often funneled through organizations or institutions instead of us directly. New initiatives are often supported and upheld by leaders with no experience. This type of tokenization is not representation. It is straight up exploitation.

Take, for example, the surge of unpaid "arts contests" during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of these contests - a UN Creative Brief that framed itself as "a mobilizing of a community" - required unpaid submissions and couldn't guarantee credit. Who benefited? Mega-corporations like Facebook and BBC that used these contests as PR opportunities while offering creators nothing in return while we struggled to stay afloat.

Even in institutions like the United Nations, programs designed to “celebrate” the arts often miss the mark. For instance, the UN-backed initiative "Sounds Right" partnered with Spotify—an exploitative streaming platform that pays artists mere fractions of a cent per stream. Instead of supporting fair pay, these programs align with systems that undermine artists’ livelihoods.

This isn’t just a failure to advocate for artists—it’s complicity in their exploitation.

A Movement for Artists, Led by Artists

Imagine if artists had true representation—if we could initiative and lead the policies, programs, and initiatives that impact our work. Advocacy grounded in lived experience would be transformative because it would be based on what we are inherently good at - moving people. Also, artists know the realities of the gig economy, the constant fight for fair pay, and the need to protect intellectual property. Our leadership would ensure that these issues are addressed with authenticity and innovation.

The statistics show how urgent this is:

• 80% of cultural policies worldwide are created without artist input, according to UNESCO (again, the irony!)
• Artists earn 20-30% less than the average worker in their country, as reported by IFACCA (what's their salary?)
• Marginalized artists, including Indigenous creators and artists of color, are disproportionately excluded from leadership roles in cultural programming and policymaking.

This lack of representation creates policies that fail to support sustainable livelihoods or address systemic challenges.

A Creative Revolution

To change this, we need a revolution—one that demands artist representation in every space where decisions about arts and culture are made. This revolution isn’t just about inclusion; it’s about reclaiming power.

Artists must lead:

• At global institutions like the United Nations, where a formal Major Group by and for professional artists is long overdue.
• In policymaking, where our voices can shape arts initiatives that prioritize fair pay or other renumeration, intellectual property rights, and sustainable livelihoods.
• In movements for sustainability, where art can amplify solutions while ensuring artists are compensated fairly for their contributions.

This fight isn’t just about artists—it’s about society. When artists thrive, we all benefit. Creativity fuels innovation, empathy, and connection, all of which are essential for tackling the world's most pressing issues.

Representation Matters—But It Must Be Real

We often say "representation matters," especially for youth, women, and marginalized communities—and rightfully so. But when it comes to artists, representation often stops at tokenization. Advocacy without artist leadership is not representation; it’s exploitation dressed up as inclusion.

As one artist put it: “You can’t advocate for a livelihood you don’t live. Our voices aren’t optional—they are the movement.”

A Call to Action

The fight for artist representation is not just a campaign; it’s a movement. It’s time for cultural institutions, policymakers, and advocacy organizations to step back and let artists initiate and lead. This means creating spaces where artists can shape our own futures, free from tokenization and exploitation.

For those in support of this, please join our Arts and Culture Working Group, an artist-led initiative advocating for meaningful artist representation in UN processes.

From December 22 to January 1, the Art Saves Countdown will spotlight harmful systems affecting artists and offer actionable solutions to build a world where creators lead the charge. This isn’t just about improving conditions for artists—it’s about sparking a revolution for creative justice.

The mic belongs to the artists.

Let’s join the movement.

?? What does an artist-led revolution look like to you? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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