How to Become Self-Employed in Culture?

At the training, we will address the issues of obtaining and managing the status from 4 pm to around 6.30 pm. Since the regulation is potentially undergoing significant changes under the current government’s proposals, we will engage with representatives of the self-employed in culture, decision-makers, and their advocates from 6.30 pm to 8.00 pm to discuss the realities of their situation, the anticipated changes to the regulation, and the possibilities and necessities for future development.

The status of self-employed in culture, obtained at the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia, represents one of the basic formal forms of work for artists in the field of culture. Obtaining the status is a formalized procedure that requires filling in forms, reviewing the relevant regulation and its annexes, and providing various supporting documents, which often poses a significant administrative barrier to individuals when deciding to obtain the status.

Because the process of obtaining the status is complicated for many people, the Asociacija Association has designed training to help you apply for the status, as well as inform you about some of its more significant advantages and disadvantages. The training is part of a series of free workshops and lectures for young people at the beginning of their professional creative path, with which DobraVaga is expanding its support activities with the aim of providing useful skills and knowledge that is important for working and career building in culture.

The first part of the training is intended primarily for those who do not have the status of self-employed in culture and at the same time view it as a potential career opportunity. At the session, you will learn about the specific administrative and formal procedures that await you if you decide to become self-employed in culture, as well as other aspects that will help you assess whether the status of self-employed in culture is suitable for you and your own career vision.

In the first part of the training, we will address issues such as:

– how to perceive and understand the status of self-employed in culture;

– obtaining the status of self-employed in culture;

– obtaining and renewing the right to pay social security contributions;

– how to effectively write an application to convince the expert commission at the Ministry of Culture;

– the criteria for individual professions;

– the formal and administrative duties that must be performed by those who are self-employed in culture. 

The training will be led by Polona Torkar, a former self-employed professional in the field of audiovisual and intermedia arts, with extensive practical and advocacy experience regarding the status of self-employed individuals in culture. She is also a professional associate and vice president of Asociacija.

In the second part of the training, participants will explore the realities faced by the self-employed in culture and discuss ways to strengthen their position. The session will focus on key regulatory issues that shape the conditions for creative and cultural work, including financial and other valuations, social protections and workers’ rights (from healthcare to pensions), and incentives for self-employment. Moderated by Polona Torkar, the discussion will feature Mistral Majer (self-employed in performing arts), president of the Slovenian Association of Literary Translators and member of the National Council for Culture Tanja Petrič (literature), Urša Menart (film) representing the Association of Slovenian Directors, and Miha Blažič N’toko (music and media), a representative of the ZASUK trade union. A representative from the Ministry of Culture will also be invited to contribute. 

The entire workshop will take place live.

Advance registration at maja.alibegovic@dobravaga.si is required; places are limited.

Duration: approx. 4 hours 

Free admission.

Organization: Asociacija Association and Kino Šiška/DobraVaga.