Help for precarious artists disappears, a more restrictive and selective device replaces it – Liberation

THE National Center for Plastic Arts (CNAP) sounded the death knell for its « exceptional rescue » device in early March. Awarded by the institution since 2004, this fund was aimed at supporting artists-authors encountering occasional difficulties that hinder their professional activity. These could supplement a file justifying on the one hand, of their artist status, and on the other hand, of a salary below the hourly minimum wage. But in March, the CNAP announced the end of this aid and the creation of a new one, « Rebound », to which it is possible to be a candidate since March 10, until April 29. The project has been in germ for a few months already, and had been across internally on October 29, 2024.

The National Syndicate of Plastician Artists · Nes (Snap-CGT) deplores this decision which, according to him, will contribute to preclosing artists-authors. Originally, the exceptional rescue system was « Based on social criteria »he points to a press release made public on March 31. However, the new fund excludes applicants « The most in difficulty » and strengthens « Inequalities » by favoring « The development of careers », Ensures the union.

To benefit from this new device, you have to be affiliated with the regime of artists for at least five years, against three for the previous help, in order to« Integrate artists who know a major professional breakdown », details the CNAP. We must also justify « A significant drop or a break in artistic income in the past five years » Or « Low income in the last three years, equivalent or lower than the value of an annual minimum wage ».

What changes above all is the nature of the device. While the previous fund allocated 1,500 euros, rebound is an amount of 4,000 euros. The beneficiary will have the obligation to attend a program « Professional development » of several days, which will include « Personalized follow -up » For « Structure its activity, (…) To understand the administrative environment, (…) and expand its professional network ».

More financially advantageous, rebound will however concern fewer artists: « 25 per year » against « A hundred » For the previous help, according to CNAP figures. In addition, the system seems rather oriented towards the professional development of artists and less towards support for the most precarious of them. Previously, the emergency fund was to finance expenses such as rent, current invoices, household purchases. The CNAP also indicated in an explanatory file that it should not « Not serving directly () artistic activity ».

It is quite the opposite for the 4,000 euros allocated by rebound,, which will above all have to allow « Get out working time » And « Financing transport, accommodation and PER Diem costs as part of support ». It is true that the program provides for professional coaching sessions across France, especially in Paris or Marseille. The artists are therefore invited to finance with their help this device to which they are required to attend. The payment will be done in November 2025, and personalized support will begin in January 2026.

The CNAP justifies this change by the fact that the emergency aid system was « Thought to be exceptional and punctual in the face of structurally problematic situations ». Hence the wish to set up long -term support. In addition, he underlines the difficulty of evaluating requests often « Linked to extremely sensitive medical, social or legal situations without having the necessary skills and administrative framework ».

The Snap-CGT deplores the abolition of emergency aid, which, he recalls, may not arrange the situation of artists-authors. These are already precarious by their status which does not allow them to benefit from unemployment insurance, or to have a occupational disease recognized or an accident at work. Few recent figures show their economic reality, but we know that in 2017, 53 % of artists received less than 8,703 euros in annual income, according to the report from the Maison des Artistes.

This announcement also strengthens unions’ concerns, which for months already sound the alarm Regarding reforms that affect the culture sector. These continue to Mobilize through France To protest against drastic budget cuts in local authorities, the suspension of the collective share of the culture pass or even, the subjugation at 15 hours of compulsory work for the beneficiaries of the RSA.