Focal Point: The Power of the Collective

How does one connect poetry with politics? Why is it necessary to fight for a free, diverse and humane literary world: for writers‘ livelihoods, for authors‘ rights, for cultural and economic freedom? Internationally bestselling novelist Nina George, Political Commissioner of the European Writers‘ Council, talks about her path into literary advocacy and the power of the collective, and offers a glimpse into the engine room of European politics. 

How can people who work and create independently advocate together for better working conditions? Šárka Homfray will follow up on the history of European writers’ organizing by examining the importance of collective action in the cultural sector. Traditional union organizing and collective bargaining have their limits in an environment where a large proportion of people work as freelancers. However, that does not mean that everyone has to negotiate on their own. Professional associations, unions, and other forms of self-organization can strengthen bargaining power, advocate for fair pay, and influence the rules governing cultural work. The experiences of the labor movement and collective organizing in other sectors offer inspiration, not a one-size-fits-all blueprint. What can the cultural sector borrow from elsewhere, and what must it devise on its own? 

People working in the cultural sector organize themselves into associations, federations, and chambers. Some of these have trade union status and can participate in tripartite negotiations between government, employers and unions. However, most professional organizations do not have such a mandate and influence working conditions in the cultural sector only indirectly. When can a professional association obtain union status? Would it be better for the cultural sector to establish its own unions? And is this even feasible, given that most people in the field work as self-employed individuals and their attempts at collective bargaining have so far been met with the objection that they are forming a cartel? Or would it be more worthwhile to strengthen existing associations and the sectoral platform? The panel will present the audience with ways to gain a stronger voice in negotiations over working conditions in the cultural sector and will ask what needs to be done to ensure that current efforts do not stall. 

Moderator: Anežka Bartlová 

Panellists: 

• Dagmar Jelínková (OSPKOP, Trade Union of Workers in Culture and Nature Conservation) 

• Alena Derzsiová (ARAS – Association of Czech Film Directors, Screenwriters and Script Editors) 

• more names to be announced 

Sjoerd Feitsma looks at the recent history of the Dutch labour market in the arts: the most pressing issues for arts workers and arts organisations, and the dilemmas faced by funders, from the government to private foundations. He also discusses the improvements the arts sector has made itself to strengthen the position of artists and of the sector as a whole, including the programmes launched by Platform ACCT and the framework behind them: the Dutch Fair Practice Code.

How are common rules for fair practices across the arts developed? Representatives from the fields that participated in a year-long intensive collaboration initiated by the Department of Arts, Libraries, and Creative Industries of the Ministry of Culture will present its results: the Code of Fair Practice in Culture and the Arts and a formula for calculating minimum fees for cultural and artistic activities. They also describe how they got there: clarifying work roles and relationships, identifying interdependencies, and seeking common principles among fields with different conditions and established practices. 

The presentations will be followed by a panel discussion on what is truly needed to promote fair practices. Is it enough to change the way we think about the value of artistic work, or does decent compensation require deeper changes to labor relations and the system of cultural funding? And how will the results of this collaborative effort be reflected in the terms of the grant calls issued by the ministry that initiated the entire process? 

Speakers: 

• Jana Návratová 

• Eli Havla 

• Zuzana Zahradníčková 

• Lenka Toman 

In the Talks, we’ll showcase projects and specific stories of self-organization and approaches to fair practices from across the cultural sector. Ten projects, seven minutes each. At the end, the audience will choose the one that inspired them the most. 

Presenters: 

• Joost Heinsius, Values of Culture & Creativity (Netherlands): Why I Am Here

• Tereza Kadlecová, Pride Business Forum 

• Marie Pospíšilová, Institute of Sociology of the Czech Academy of Sciences 

• Anna Luňáková, Asociace spisovatelů (The Czech Writers Association) 

• Veronika Jošková Štefanová, CIRQUEON – Centre for Contemporary Circus: From Practice for Practice: Fair Solutions for Contemporary Circus and Street Arts

• Zuzana Martincová and Alena Derzsiová, ARAS (Association of Czech Film Directors, Screenwriters and Script Editors) 

• Klára Vlasáková, Czech Television Trade Union 

• Zdeněk Prokeš, Dance Career Endowment Fund (Nadační fond pro taneční kariéru) 

• more names to be announced 

1) Collective Bargaining for Freelancers in Culture: European Practices and the Czech Approach 

How can people working in the cultural sector as freelancers collectively negotiate decent pay and fair working conditions? What options does European legislation offer, and what prevents their implementation in the Czech context? An open discussion in a long-table format will bring together international experiences with the perspectives of Czech professional associations and public administration. Together with international guests Nina George, Sjoerd Feitsma, and Joost Heinsius, as well as representatives from the Czech Ministry of Culture, we will focus on the role of professional organizations, the limits of competition law, and opportunities for systemic support of collective bargaining. The goal is to identify specific obstacles and seek ways to strengthen the bargaining position of freelancers in the Czech cultural sector. 

A long table is a facilitated discussion held around a single long table, in which various participants, not just pre-selected speakers, can join in one after another. It is not a series of presentations, but rather an open working discussion that brings together different experiences, interests, and perspectives on a shared issue. This format is particularly well-suited for situations where there is a need to identify specific next steps, pinpoint obstacles, and collaboratively formulate possible solutions.  

Format: long table · 90 min · in English 

2) We Have the Code. Now What? 

Perhaps you, too, have experienced a well-crafted policy document that ends up gathering dust in a drawer once it’s finished. What can we do to ensure that codes of fair practice become an integral part of the day-to-day operations of cultural organizations? 

Why do organizations decide to implement codes of conduct or other written rules? Who is involved in drafting them and deciding on their form? How should they be communicated within the organization, and how can different perspectives be incorporated into the process? Where can we find the patience to establish processes during the learning phase? How can we develop fair practices even when there is a lack of time, resources, or funding? Is it possible to develop fair practices gradually? 

We will seek answers to these and other questions during roundtable discussions, where we aim to create a space for sharing specific experiences, inspiration, and setbacks, and for working together to find ways to put our values into daily practice. This kind of discussion requires time, patience, and a willingness to listen. That can be a challenge, especially if we’re used to doing ten things at once and putting out the fires that are burning the brightest. 

Facilitator: Eli Havla 

Format: round tables · 90 min · in Czech 

3) We’re Not Alone in This: A Self-Organization Workshop 

TBA

Facilitation: Re-set 

Format: workshop · 90 min · in Czech