Before We Go Down in History (We Have to Make a Living) II. 2nd Session 

This last session of Before We Go Down in History (We Have to Make a Living) aims to be a moment for reflection that serves to plan other, future meetings, above (or below) and beyond [contra]panorama and the museum itself. It is a matter of understanding the fragility of our times and of seeking the strategies for mutual support, solidarity and political work we so urgently need to ensure our survival. In this respect, the closing session is approached as a space provided for PAAC (Assembly-Based Platform for Artists of Catalonia), with MACBA acting as a tool for support and assistance, placing the emphasis on the mutual interdependence between the museum and artists. 

The Artist’s Statute is the legal framework intended to dignify and improve working conditions for creators, artists, performers, technicians and workers in the cultural sector covered by employment, tax and social security regulations. This regulatory framework aims to recognise and protect self-employed artists and cultural workers, as well as offering solutions to the specific challenges they face in their work. 

Visual artists have been left out of the existing framework. For this reason, PAAC (Assembly-Based Platform for Artists of Catalonia) and the Unión de Artistas Contemporáneos (Contemporary Artists’ Union) are working together to establish minimum demands to be made to the authorities and the Spanish government, for them to recognise the specific features of artistic work in the visual arts, in an attempt to drag them out of a constant insecurity. This session aims to join forces for this recognition and open up a dialogue regarding the working conditions of visual artists.

this activity is part of

Before We Go Down in History (We Have to Make a Living) II 

activity

09.04.2025 – 10.04.2025

In 2021, MACBA launched the triennial Panorama, which aimed to “deepen its collaboration and dialogue with local artists and cultural agents”. [contra]panorama, the second edition of Panorama retains the same aim but works towards it through a year-long series of interventions that take the project’s title literally, in order to question both the continuing relevance of the triennial (or biennial) format and its capacity to offer a panoramic image of the present.

participant

Plataforma Assembleària d’Artistes de Catalunya (PAAC)

We are a non-profit organization that oversees the social cohesion and professionalism of the group of visual artists. Our axes of work are the fight for a fair professionalization and for the good practices to be a reality in all the working people of the sector of the contemporary art. In addition, we promote actions that put art at the center of public debate. We firmly believe in the contemporary artist’s commitment to the world around him and also that art is an essential tool for understanding and expressing the world today. On the other hand, we carry out a task of dialogue and intermediation between artists and institutions and provide legal and tax advice, as well as a continuing education program for members. https://www.paac.cat/

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WITH THE SUPPORT OF

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