Clear ambitions for culture and artists under the new government

Culture has been given its own place in the government's platform for Denmark's new government, and that is historic, says the spokesperson for the artists, Sara Indrio.

“It's a promising sign when our politicians have such a clear focus on the value of culture and that the challenges faced by artists are intrinsically linked to it,” she says about the 77-page government policy document with plans for the coming period.

The government will address a number of the structures underlying artists' and musicians' working lives, rights, and opportunities to earn money from the value of their work and productions, it is stated.

“For us music and performing artists, there is a need for cross-ministerial solutions. This government policy demonstrates a new and important mindset from our politicians, namely that the policies that artists and the cultural sector need are to be integrated into a unified effort, and this is historic,” she says.

As technology, artificial intelligence and digital services dominate cultural consumption, it pressures artists and musicians on earnings and self-determination. This challenge is also on the government's to-do list.

“We have highlighted how impossible it is to gain insight into how tech and now AI exploit music without fair payment to artists, and I am very pleased, on behalf of all my colleagues, that the need to examine the power position of tech giants and their impact on the entire music ecosystem has been heeded. I strongly recommend in-depth committee work on streaming and AI, so that we can create the necessary framework for good business and sensible regulation.

Art plays a role in many areas of society, and therefore also in several policy areas. This also applies to parental leave, which creates unequal opportunities for security between project employees and freelancers compared to employed individuals.

The Danish Artists' Federation, along with 28 organisations, has put forward solutions, and Sara Indrio is very pleased to see this reflected in the government's policy. She also looks forward to a music action plan and an improvement to the performing arts act.

“We are going to embark on important reforms that can equip Danish society for the future – including in the artistic sphere. We submitted concrete proposals for a new music action plan and a performing arts reform even before the election was called, which concern improvements around concerts and the development of performing arts, particularly in the circus field. But we are also ready to fly high in a helicopter and look into the future,” says Sara Indrio.

Sara Indrio praises the government for so clearly prioritising measures for a more professionalised music industry in its foundation, including equality in music, not least so that women can work in a safe professional life.

“It is very encouraging overall that the new government has clear ambitions to solve structural challenges in the industry. We will hold them accountable for that,” says Sara Indrio.