Discussing UNESCO’s Reshaping Cultural Policy for Creativity report

This session will focus on emerging trends and policy recommendations regarding the status and working conditions of artists and cultural and creative professionals, a topic that has become increasingly central to cultural policy debates worldwide. Drawing on insights from UNESCO’s global report Re|Shaping Policies for Creativity – Addressing culture as a global public good, the discussion will explore how evolving economic, social, and technological contexts are reshaping artistic work and the broader cultural and creative sectors.

Attention will be given to the challenges and opportunities faced by artists and cultural professionals today, including questions related to working conditions, recognition, mobility, sustainability of careers, and the role of public policy in fostering supportive creative ecosystems. The session will also reflect on how evidence, research, and sector perspectives can contribute to more effective and inclusive cultural policies.

This Talk launches a new ENCATC Talk series dedicated to examining the role and status of artists and cultural and creative professionals in a changing world. Through a series of discussions bringing together researchers, policymakers, and cultural practitioners, the initiative aims to deepen reflection on how cultural ecosystems can better support creative work and artistic practice.

The series will also serve as a preparatory platform leading towards the ENCATC Congress in Nice, titled “Artists and Cultural & Creative Professionals at the Centre: Rethinking Work, Policy, and Cultural Ecosystems.” By opening a space for dialogue and knowledge exchange, the Talks aim to contribute to shaping future conversations on the place of artists and cultural professionals within evolving cultural, social, and policy landscapes.