Position Paper : Towards Fair Pay for Performing Artists
The Malta Entertainment Industry and Arts Association (MEIA) has launched a new position paper, Towards Fair Pay for Performing Artists in Malta, led by Culture Venture, setting out a phased and consultative approach to addressing long-standing challenges in the sector.
Originally intended to pave the way towards a rate card for performing artists, the research revealed far more pressing realities: deep-rooted gaps in working conditions, systemic market failures, and imbalances between public and private institutions. These findings underline that before setting binding rate structures, the sector must first acknowledge artistic labour fully and unequivocally as work, recognise the preparation and time it entails, and address inequities across the cultural ecosystem.
The position paper proposes a four-point action plan:
Adopt Fair Payment Principles – recognising all artistic work as legitimate labour, guaranteeing no pay below the National Minimum Wage, securing written contracts, and safeguarding artists’ rights to negotiate and report malpractice.
Standardise Payment Models – introducing clear and transparent models that allow consistency in negotiations while reflecting the diversity of artistic roles and contexts.
Pilot a Sectoral Rate Card – through a member-led Fair Pay Working Group, beginning with the theatre sector, to establish transparent benchmarks for minimum payments and working conditions.
Strengthen Advocacy for Fair Pay – driving sustained campaigns, collective agreements, and engagement with policymakers to embed fair pay as a sectoral standard and a condition for public funding.
The paper stresses that while voluntary and community-driven cultural activity remains invaluable, it must never replace or disguise professional labour. It calls for acknowledgement of the gaps and failures currently affecting the system, alongside constructive dialogue and consensus, as the foundation for sustainable reform.
To ensure the sector’s voice is central to this process, MEIA has opened a public consultation on the proposed action plan. Submissions are invited until 30th November via an online form in the following link:
In parallel, MEIA has established a Fair Pay Working Group that will begin the process of piloting Malta’s first sectoral rate card, starting with the theatre sector. This group will guide structured discussions with members, producers, and institutions to ensure the benchmarks reflect the realities of both artists and employers.
MEIA extends sincere thanks to all contributors who shared data and insights during the research process. Without evidence and input, the sector cannot identify where the problems lie, nor build the solutions it urgently needs.
This initiative was developed following months of consultation with Culture Venture and was made possible with partial support from Arts Council Malta.