Social safety in Rotterdam's cultural sector

The aim of the advice is to prevent, as far as possible, the symptoms of an unsafe work situation, such as harassment, discrimination or abuse of power.

According to research, three groups experience social insecurity more often than other groups, namely women, individuals in artistic or artistic-technical positions, and self-employed individuals in freelance positions or workers on temporary contracts. Groups that are relatively widely represented in the cultural sector.

The RRKC considers ignorance, particularly on the part of management and supervision, when it comes to social safety, to be culpable.

In addition, the cultural sector has specific characteristics that increase the risk of an unsafe work situation. These characteristics are: the high number of informal contacts, the large status differences, the tolerated effect of 'artistry', the involvement of the public as a third party, the competitive atmosphere and the relatively large job insecurity.

The RRKC identifies four hard-to-break patterns that perpetuate insecurity:

1. the paradox of speaking safely about security
2. the 'white male' as a standard reference point
3. the corrupting effect of both power and impotence
4. The repetitive nature of harmful traditions in (art) education.

While there are no quick fixes for these patterns, recognizing and acknowledging them can be a path in the right direction.

The RRKC considers ignorance, particularly on the part of management and supervision, when it comes to social safety, to be culpable and therefore calls on the board, managements and supervisors of cultural organizations - including themselves - to put "social safety" on the agenda.

Download the RRKC advice here