The enactment of the Artists' Welfare Act in 2011, the establishment of the Korea Artists Welfare Foundation in 2013, and the introduction of the Artists' Employment Insurance in 2020 have provided institutional measures to support the stable continua...
The enactment of the Artists' Welfare Act in 2011, the establishment of the Korea Artists Welfare Foundation in 2013, and the introduction of the Artists' Employment Insurance in 2020 have provided institutional measures to support the stable continuation of artistic activities. Despite these efforts, questions about the effectiveness of the labor environment and social security systems for artists persist. This study aims to analyze the current state of welfare policies and working conditions for artists using empirical data and examines international cases from France and Germany to identify the limitations and propose improvements for Korea's social security system.
Using data from the 2021 Artists' Survey, which included responses from 5,109 artists, this study analyzed the status of artists’ employment insurance and social security. The findings reveal that the non-subscription rate for artists' employment insurance was as high as 85.6%, and participation in public pensions was also low, indicating that many artists remain in the blind spots of the social security system. A review of France's ‘Intermittent du spectacle’ and Germany's ‘Künstlersozialversicherung’ highlighted how these systems reflect the unique characteristics of full-time and part-time artists, alleviating employment and income insecurity through tailored welfare frameworks. Based on these findings, this study suggests the design of customized welfare systems for full-time and part-time artists, the adoption of pension schemes that consider income variability, and a shared insurance premium structure involving employers and the state. By providing practical evidence, this research aims to contribute to strengthening the social safety net for artists, addressing gaps in the social security system, and fostering a sustainable creative ecosystem in Korea.