Performing precarity in times of uncertainty: The implications of COVID-19 on artists in Malta

Visanich, V.; Attard, T.

During the current unprecedented times of uncertainty, caused by the global emergency situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, workers with insecure income, including artists, are amongst the most prone to experience hardship. This chapter tackles the shared concerns of artists during the pandemic, particularly on the disruption of their everyday life and their experienced financial loss. Their situation is more deep-seated than just a right to earn a living wage. Herein, this analysis is couched in an understanding of the precarious working conditions of artists in general and within the creative sector, which are more accentuated during such uncertain times. This chapter draws data from an online survey addressed to artists, conducted in March 2020, during a period of increased restrictions on mass events, the normalization of physical distances and imposed lockdown on various sectors of Maltese society. This survey is used here to inform the recommendations made in this chapter - specifically to secure the right for equitable income. Based on these recommendations, which were publicized in the media and discussed with public agencies, including Malta’s economic development agency, this chapter traces the sector’s immediate response on the impact of COVID-19. Subsequently this led to the implementation of “Covid Wage Supplement” - an emergency support to assist workers, including artists, to stay afloat and help the culture sector to withstand the crisis. © 2021 selection and editorial matter, J. Michael Ryan;individual chapters, the contributors.