This Bill of Rights for artists and cultural workers was developed through a collaborative process initiated by Creatives Rebuild New York’s (CRNY) Artist Employment Program (AEP) from April to June 2024. A working group of 11 stakeholders, co-facilitated by Christopher Mulé and Bathabile Mthombeni, reviewed various existing bills of rights and drew inspiration from the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. 

The document aims to address the systemic inequities and labor concerns facing artists and cultural workers, emphasizing fair compensation, safe working conditions, and transparent decision making.

The Bill recognizes the essential, yet often invisible, labor of artists from ideation through creation and beyond and calls for systems to respect and compensate this work. It also advocates for solidarity between artists and cultural workers to foster sustainable cultural ecosystems. Key articles cover artists’ rights to recognition as cultural workers, flexible work arrangements, fair wages, transparency, intellectual property protections, and access to resources. This document underscores the need for structural change in arts and cultural institutions and seeks to support artists’ transition from gig work to full-time employment. The Bill is meant to be a living document — inspiring artists and cultural workers in New York State and beyond to adapt the articles to their local needs.