Art Work Certificate and Art Work Allowance
If you’re a dancer or artistic creator intending to pursue a professional career in these fields, the art work certificate is certainly worth considering.
The art work certificate
The art work certificate (or 'kunstwerkattest' in Dutch) is for people who do artistic work and earn an income (or some of their income) by doing so. You might think of it as recognition of your professional practice as an artist – whether your career is up and running or you are just taking your first steps.
Why is it important? Because it gives you access to certain social benefits that would otherwise be difficult for artists to claim. You will be better protected if you get ill, and if you become unemployed, you will receive 'art work allowance' (unemployment benefit for artists or 'kunstwerkuitkering' in Dutch). The art work certificate also permits specific forms of contract, and that makes it easier to work on one-off projects.
Who is it for?
The certificate is intended for people who do artistic activities and effectively earn an income from them. In the dance sector, this might mean choreography, performance, creation or other activities.
Even if you’ve only just started out, you might already be able to apply for a certificate in a ‘starter’ procedure – on the condition that you have a clear plan and can demonstrate that you take your artistic practice seriously.
Are you involved in commissions, productions or artistic projects in return for payment? If so, it is definitely worth considering whether the art work certificate is for you.
Please note: the art work certificate cannot be combined with self-employed status or a ‘commercial undertaking’. But the art work certificate does allow you to combine artistic and non-artistic work, as long as you reach a minimum amount of artistic work. You receive benefits on days without work.
What are the advantages?
The art work certificate gives you better access to the social security status for artists. That means protection tailored to the way we work in the arts. Don’t you have a fixed contract? Does your income fluctuate? That won’t necessarily be a problem if you use this certificate to join a recognised system.
The art work certificate also opens doors to a more flexible employment system in which you can combine different forms of payment: temporary contracts as well as freelance work through a social bureau for artists (SBK), assignments paid for under an all-in fee, or a package price if you receive royalty payments. In addition, you are entitled to an art work allowance in periods when you have little or no work. Furthermore, an art work certificate helps you assert yourself professionally towards commissioning bodies, grant providers or partners.
Want to find out more?
Cultuurloket offers clear explanations, practical tips and free support with your application (in Dutch only). Cultuurloket is the key contact for everything to do with the art work certificate.
You will also find plenty of information about the art work certificate (also in Dutch only) on the Working in the Arts (WITA) website. You can also apply for your certificate there.