Conversations, knowledge sharing, and individual assistance make a difference to the artists” working environment. This is the conclusion of the Danish Artists” Union after good eighteen months of open working environment advice and the launch of a collaboration guide. Both are important tools for creating a healthy working environment in the music and performing arts industries, according to artist representative Sara Indrio: "We help with knowledge and clarifying, personal conversations, and in all cases, it's about helping to create healthy working environments in the music and performing arts industries."

Advice for artists and music creators on working environments

A good working environment requires attention to frameworks and agreements from all involved. It creates security when everyone agrees on terms and conditions. However, in the artistic job market, there is often uncertainty about responsibilities and rules, or responsibility shifts along the way.

Modern occupational health and safety advice is about bringing problems to light so that those responsible can work on solutions. The occupational health and safety helpline is open to everyone in the music and performing arts industry, and all conversations are confidential. When the phone rings, the conversation typically involves gaining an overview of the problem, and clarifying who has what roles in the work situation, explains Sara Indrio:

”Our advice service exists so that no one has to feel alone with their problems. Quite simply, it's about identifying the problem and finding ways to make the work environment safer. In some cases, it's important to pass on information to those who can rectify the work environment and ensure help is given to process what has happened. Enquiries can come from artists lacking knowledge about their own options or from managers who don't see the problems until we draw their attention to them. In both cases, we can help to ease strained collaborations.”

Let's talk about what works and what doesn't!

In the music and performing arts industries, there is extra attention on working conditions, and several people have gained clear expectations for the work environment and general well-being. There was also a great deal of curiosity from both artists, producers, and venues at a recent workshop on the work environment during the performing arts industry day.

Here, the Danish Artists' Union's advisor Dorthe Korfitzen described the first step towards a good working environment, namely talking about experiences and problems and asking the right questions, both to colleagues and those responsible.

”It is my experience that the vast, vast majority of problems with collaboration or work environment arise because the parties do not talk openly enough about working conditions, expectations, and challenges, because they expect everything to run optimally on its own, or because they do not dare to. This can lead to situations where individuals – on both sides of the table – feel very isolated and pressured. Improvements require open conversations at a minimum, and we are always happy to help facilitate the need for dialogue and action when things become difficult,” says Dorthe Korfitzen.

Clear agreements are part of a healthy working environment

To make conversations about responsibility and agreements easier, the Danish Artists' Union has produced a collaboration guide with good advice and a concrete checklist.

The guide can be used both internally between colleagues and in collaborations with crew, agents, managers or producers and others, from whom artists get work or to whom they provide work.

”As a professional organisation, we often see cases where there is ambiguity about responsibility, and where the artist is left alone. The guide provides some fundamental tools for us who operate in a complex and multifaceted working life, where we are often colleagues and friends one day, and employer or employee the next,” says Sara Indrio.

You can find the collaboration guide here.