Art workers

The Art Work Certificate provides access to specialized social security programs for artistic workers. It replaces the artist visa previously needed for working under Article 1bis contracts. Furthermore, it is a prerequise for qualifying for the Art Work Allowance (formerly known as artist status). 

• The Art Work Certificate replaces the artist visa.
• The Art Work Allowance replaces the artist status.
• Supportive artistic and technical roles are now officially recognized.

There are three types of certificates, each offering distinct benefits.

"Ordinary" Art Work Certificate

• Valid for 5 years
• The Ordinary Art Work Certificate enables you to work under Article 1bis contracts. According to Article 1bis, artists can work without a formal employment contract under certain conditions while still benefiting from social security as employed workers. 
• With this certificate, as an independante artistic worker, you qualify for the first-time starter regime, allowing you to pay reduced social security contributions for 8 quarters.

"Plus" Art Work Certificate

• Valid for 5 years
• The "Plus" Art Work Certificate provides access to the benefits of the Ordinary Certificate, as well as the basic eligibility criteria for granting and renewing the the Art Work Allowance (formerly known as artist status). 

"Beginner" Art Work Certificate

• Valid for 3 years
• The "Beginner" Art Work Certificate grants access to the benefits granted by the "Ordinary" Certificate and as well as the basic eligibility criteria for granting the Art Work Allowance. The key difference in coparison with the "Plus" Certificate is that the eligibility criteria are more flexible for beginners.

IMPORTANT:

As an artistic worker, you are not allowed to choose the type of certificate you wish to apply for. The Art Work Commission will determine and issue the most beneficial certificate for you. Individuals currently receiving the Art Work Allowance (formerly known as "artist status") will automatically be granted a "Plus" Art Work Certificate on January 1, 2024. Those holding a valid artist visa will automaticaly receive an "Ordinary" Art Work Certificate on January 1, 2024.

The Art Work Certificate is designed for individuals engaged in professional artistic activities. Following recent reforms, both artistic and technical support activities are now recognized as part of the arts sector.

The arts sector includes:

• • Audiovisual
  • Visual arts
  • Music
  • Literature
  • Performing arts
  • Theater
  • Choreography
  • Comics

An artistic practice is regarded as professional when the Commission assesses that your income sufficiently supports part of your living expenses, OR when your activities represent a significant portion of your professional investment.

To obtain an Art Work Certificate, you must demonstrate a gross income of at least €1,000 over a reference period of 2 years.

For a "Plus" Certificate, the requirements are as follows:

• Initial application: You must provide proof of a gross income of €13,546 over a reference period of 5 years or €5,418 over a reference period of 2 years.
• Renewal: You must demonstrate a gross income of €4,515 over a reference period of 5 years or €2,709 over a reference periode of 3 years.

For a "Beginner" Certificate, more flexible conditions apply:

• Yous must hold a recognized full degree in higher artistic education (Belgian or foreign) or possess equivalent training or professional experience in the arts sector. 
• You must present a career or business plan or show that you are currently undertaking training to develop such a plan. 
• You need to provide proof of at least 5 performances or a gross income of €300 from your primary activities in the 3 years leading up to your application. 

The Art Work Commission evaluates whether your activities contribute significantly to an artistic creation or execution. Therefore, please include supporting documents with your application to substantiate this.

The Commission is also working on a comprehensive guide outlining all evaluation criteria for obtaining an Arts Worker Certificate, along with a list of eligible activities. 

You can submit your application to the Art Work Commission through their platform, Working in the Arts.

• Click on "Mon dossier" on this page.
• Register on the platform using your electronic ID card or itsme. 
• Justify your professional artistic activities in your application and attach the required supporting documents.
• The Art Work Commission will make a decision within three months of your application.

The Art Work Allowance is the new term for the benefits provided to artistic workers under unemployment insurance. It replaces the former "artist status" and you need an Art Work Certificate to be eligible for it.

The Art Work Allowance is a non-degressive unemployment benefit, meaning it does not decrease over time. 

To be eligible for this benefit, you must:

• Hold a valid "Plus" or "Beginner" Art Work Certificate
• Demonstrate the equivalent of 156 days of salaried work over a reference period of 24 months.
• This number of days equate to a gross income of €12,422.28, based on the current Minimum Monthly Guaranteed Wage of €79,63, effective from May 1, 2024.

For the Art Work Allowance, it does not matter whether your activities are artistic or not. You simply need to prove that you have received a salary for the aforementioned amount.

The Art Work Allowance is granted for a duration of 3 years.

You will receive: 

• Generally: 60% of your average gross daily salary.
• A maximum of €69.57 gross per day for heads of household and other workers.
• No less than €67 gross per day for heads of household and €59.03 gross per day for other workers.

These amounts have been in effect since May 1, 2024, and are subject to indexing.

As a worker receiving the Art Work Allowance, you are no longer subject to availability checks by Forem or Actiris or VDAB.

This means you cannot be reprimanded by regional authorities for failing to provide sufficient proof of job searching.

Additionally, you will not be penalized if you decline a job offer that does not align with the creative industry.

IMPORTANT: You msut still remain registered as a job seeker.

The Amateur Art Compensation replaces the artist's small compensation scheme (aka RPI or KVR) as of January 1st 2024

You can earn up to €70 per mission (with a minimum of €45) and also receive reimbursement for travel expenses, capped at €20.

The Art Work Commission replaces the previous Artist Commission and serves as the sole authority for evaluating applications and issuing the Art Work Certificate, a key element of the reform of the "artist status".

The Commission aims to standardize decision-making and eliminate the subjective interpretations that have historically surrounded the definition of artistic activity. To achieve this, it now incorporates a more prominent role for industry experts in the arts sector. 

• The Commission serves as en expert center, providing information to the government, artistic workers, the FPS (Federal Public Service), and artistic federations.
• It plays a key role in developing policies and offers data-driven advice.
• The Commission is responsible for issuing Art Work Certificates and acts as the primary contact for addressing any issues or abuses related to these certificates.
• Additionally, it maintains a register of individuals who hold the Art Work Certificate.
• The Commission also keeps and publishes a dynamic registry detailing the criteria used for evaluating applications, along with the activities that qualify under these criteria.

There is a Dutch-speaking section and a French-speaking section, each composed of:

• 9 experts from the arts sector, desginated by artistic federations.
• 3 representatives from federal administrations
• 3 representatives from trade unions.
• 3 representatives from employer organizations or self-employed workers.
• Potentially, representatives from the Communities.
• Additionally, an independent president.