Income situation of freelance musicians

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Music and music education are traditionally well integrated in the education and economy of our society. Despite the considerable number of people employed in this field, despite the large financial volume and the identity-forming, social factor, there is little meaningful quantitative data on the financial situation of freelance musicians. The aim of this study is to empirically assess the income situation of freelance musicians in the Canton of Zurich. Specifically, it deals with the following questions: What do the musicians do to earn their wages? What share of wages do the different activities account for? Does this distribution correspond to their ideals? How have fees developed in recent years? Freelance musicians living in the canton of Zurich were surveyed. The survey was carried out online. This study aims on the one hand to supplement the thin factual basis that exists regarding the fees of freelance artists, and on the other hand to create public awareness of financial problem areas, which should, for example, help musicians to negotiate better.

Project title

Income situation of freelance musicians in the Canton of Zurich

Cooperation

Winterthur Conservatory

Financing

Kalaidos Research

Project duration

2016 - 2020

Project management

Prof. Dr. Michael Bühler (Kalaidos FH), Dr. Valentin Gloor (Konservatorium Winterthur), Sophie Spillmann