A sustainable working life and good conditions in the industry
Danish Visual Artists works to ensure good conditions for the visual arts profession. By articulating the value of art in society, by contributing to research in the industry and by supporting measures that directly improve the artists' conditions.
The life of an artist is characterized by great variety, changing projects and flexible employment. Many combine their artistic work with other jobs or change direction along the way. The field can be demanding, so many work actively with balance and well-being. As a trade union, we work for better frameworks for artists: stronger financial conditions, more stable employment, and fair pension and rights schemes. We ensure access to advice, communities and support, so that artists can develop their practice with security and decent working conditions.
Focus areas, measures and initiatives
Artists' invisible work at exhibitions
The Danish Association of Visual Artists has had artists' time spent on administrative tasks in connection with exhibitions at museums analyzed.
Sustainable working life
The Association of Visual Artists has participated in the development project GRO, which must give arts and cultural workers tools to deal with the challenges of working life.
Mental working environment for visual artists
Freelancers and self-employed artists/art workers have the same occupational health and safety rights as permanent employees. As an employee or student on an art course, you are protected by, among other things, the Equal Treatment Act, the Education Environment Act and the Working Environment Act.
Fair Practice Culture
Fair Practice Culture is an initiative that works towards a sustainable cultural industry through systemic change. Fair Practice Culture is run by the Danish Composers' Association and the Danish Association of Visual Artists.
The economic space of the visual arts
The Visual Arts Economic Space, a research project on the economic working conditions of visual artists, was published by Copenhagen Business School (CBS) on 22 November 2018. It is the first research-based study in the field in 20 years.
Read about the main results and find BKF's comments on the study here
You can read the reports here
Artist environments – the development of the mixed city
Art and artists, with creativity and experimentation, help to create diversity and life in the cities of Denmark. But how do we ensure affordable housing and studios so that the artists can stay in the big city? This gives the new study "Artist environments - the development of the mixed city" a well-substantiated proposal in the form of concrete scenarios for future artist residences and communities.
Overall statistics on artists
At Denmark's Statistics you will find aggregate statistics on artists across the art fields. The Statistics Artists in Denmark is based on data from nearly 28.000 artists and spans all areas of the arts, including music, performing arts, visual arts, crafts, literature and film.
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BKF had presented to the Culture Committee at the Culture Meeting
Visiting the artist's workshop
Highlights from this year's Cultural Meeting at Mors
Performance challenges art communication
Join the artist's workshop
Launch of GRO
New research points to the need for artists' environments in the larger cities
Artist's Workshop: Eamon O'Kane
Talk: Between money and art
Busy fair creates hope for recovery in the art market
BKF welcomes the plan for a new art gallery
Strengthen the possibility for visual artists to make a living from art
New focus on artists' free work
CBS invites you to launch a visual arts survey