In order to promote and valorise the performing arts sector, there are two types of prominent awards: the Luxembourg Theatre Prizes (Lëtzebuerger Theaterpräisser) and the Luxembourg Dance Prize (Lëtzebuerger Danzpräis).
The creation of the biennial Lëtzebuerger Theaterpräisser is a long-standing demand of the sector, pleading for the valorisation of theatre professions through such public recognition. There are four categories, each winning a prize with 10,000 euros (national prize), 4 500 EUR (“On the stage” prize and “Behind the stage” prize) and 3 500 EUR (rising talent).
The Lëtzebuerger Danzpräis is awarded every two years by the ministry of Culture since 2011. The prize is worth 10 000 EUR and is intended to reward the artistic merit of a choreographer or dancer in the field of choreographic art.[1]
In June 2021, the ministry of Culture has organised the “Assises sectorielles du théâtre“, a meeting with the stakeholders of the theatre sector, during which a stocktaking analysis on Luxembourg’s theatre sector was presented. Two round tables then discussed two main issues facing the sector today: sustainability and eco-responsibility in the theatre, and working conditions in the theatre.[2]
During these two round tables, the professionals observed that there is currently an “overproduction” in theatres, which leads to “exhaustion” with more rehearsals than actual performances. The adjustment of production methods for shows, as well as the demands of professionals in terms of, for example, tariff recommendations thus animate debates and works that are currently underway.
According to the Theater Federation, Luxembourg’s association of theatres, cultural centres, theatre and dance companies as well as independent artists and intermittent workers in the theatre and dance sector, the country has indeed “witnessed exceptional growth in the theatre and performing arts sector” during the past few decades with a professional network whose activity “revolves around an impressive number of productions each year, many of them local productions or co-productions, created in cooperation with international partners, as well as hosting guest performances from abroad.” [3]
At the same time, “a particular characteristic of the theatre and dance scene in Luxembourg is the absence of permanent in-house companies. Performing arts professionals work under the status of “travailleur intellectuel indépendant”, which means they usually do not have fixed long-term contracts. Typically, an artist, director or set designer signs a contract for the length of a production only.”[4]
State support is foreseen for independent professional artists and intermittent workers (notably in the sector of performing arts). According to the Amended law of 19 December 2014 relating to social measures for the benefit of independent professional artists and intermittent performers and the promotion of artistic creation, artists who work professionally, creating cultural assets and producing artistic works, may indeed benefit from social assistance for a period of 24 months (renewable) on the provision that they fulfil prerequisites, such as being continuously registered in Luxembourg for at least 6 months prior to the request, having performed artistic services for at least 3 years etc. Intermittent workers in the entertainment industry, who alternate between periods of employment and periods of inactivity, are entitled to involuntary-out-of-work benefits, provided for instance that they have worked for at least 80 days over the course of the 365 calendar days prior to the application, that during that time they worked either for businesses, for any type of entertainment organiser or in the context of a production, etc.[5]
Considering that certain of these provisions are no longer appropriate due to the evolution of the cultural sector in recent years as well as the evolution of the professionals’ working and living conditions (notably because of the Covid19 pandemic), an adaptation to this legislation has been submitted to Parliament in November 2021 by the ministry of Culture. The proposed amendments are the result of a dialogue between the various representatives of the artistic and cultural scene, launched at the end of 2019 by a public consultation, which aimed to launch reflections on the usefulness of such an adaptation. Consequently, changes applying to artists would comprise, for instance, the reduction of one year, or even the exemption (for university graduates) of the reference period preceding the application, as well as increase in the period of the benefit of aid and of the amounts of monthly aid. For intermittent workers, the scope will be broadened to include more professions and activities, a possibility of suspending the period of eligibility for aid (in the event of illness, maternity leave, parental leave, etc.) will be introduced, etc.
[1] https://gouvernement.lu/fr/actualites/toutes_actualites/communiques/2021/09-septembre/18-tanson-theaterprais-danzprais.html; Accessed 16 November 2021.
[2] https://gouvernement.lu/fr/actualites/toutes_actualites/communiques/2021/06-juin/28-assises-sectorielles-theatre.html
[3] https://www.theater.lu/en/professionals/working-in-theatre/luxembourgs-cultural-landscape/; Accessed 16 November 2021.
[4] https://www.theater.lu/en/professionals/working-in-theatre/professional-status/
[5] https://guichet.public.lu/en/citoyens/loisirs-benevolat/culture-tourisme/statut-artiste.html
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