Precarity
A resource sheet: for artists navigating precarity, instability, and the challenges of sustaining creative work
What is Precarity?
Precarity describes a condition of instability, insecurity, and vulnerability in work and life.
In the arts, it often refers to:
Objective conditions: Low or unpredictable income, short-term contracts, lack of benefits, no safety net.
Subjective experience: Feelings of uncertainty, fear of the future, self-doubt, and questioning one’s professional identity.
Precarity in cultural and creative sectors is not new - it has existed in various forms for centuries - but has intensified in recent decades due to changes in labour markets, the gig economy, and shrinking public funding for the arts.
Types of Precarity
While forms of precarity often overlap, three broad categories are particularly relevant for artists:
Financial Precarity
Irregular income streams and unpredictable payments.
No paid sick leave, pension, or unemployment benefits.
“Pay-to-work” situations (e.g., covering travel, costumes, or rehearsal costs without guaranteed pay).
Difficulty budgeting or planning for the future.
Professional/Structural Precarity
Short-term contracts and reliance on project-based work.
Lack of institutional support or advocacy.
Unequal access to networks, opportunities, and gatekeepers.
Algorithm-driven exposure and dependence on social media metrics for visibility.
Existential/Identity Precarity
When one’s sense of self is deeply tied to performing or creating, interruptions in work can feel like a loss of identity.
Public or personal questioning of whether artistic labour “counts” as real work—especially when it is poorly paid.
Risk of internalising lack of recognition as personal failure.
How Precarity Affects Artists’ Lives
Precarity can infiltrate almost every aspect of life, shaping mental health, relationships, and one’s sense of identity.
1. Mental Health Strain
The uncertainty of freelance and self-employed work—never knowing when the next project or payment will arrive—can create chronic stress. Many artists describe waking up with money worries as the first thought of the day. Over time, this constant alertness to financial danger can lead to anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and sleep problems.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, these pressures intensified. With live work cancelled, some artists reported their first experiences of suicidal thoughts.
2. Erosion of Identity
For many performers, art is not just a job - it’s part of who they are. The ability to perform, create, and share work with an audience is tied to self-esteem and self-worth. When opportunities vanish, artists can feel “negated” or stripped of their identity. One performer described the stage as a sacred space, and losing access to it as an attack on their very reason for being. This is compounded when society questions whether artistic work is “real work,” especially if it doesn’t bring in a steady income.
3. Self-Exploitation and Overwork
Love for the work can be both sustaining and dangerous. Artists often accept poor pay, unpaid gigs, or long hours because ‘doing work you love is a privilege and a blessing.’ This passion can make it easier for others—and for the artists themselves—to overlook exploitation. The blurring of work and leisure is common: rehearsal spaces double as social spaces; personal life is turned into “content” for social media; rest is postponed because there is always another opportunity to chase.
4. Constant Self-Promotion and ‘Always-On’ Culture
Precarious work in the arts often comes with the expectation of being a personal brand—constantly networking, creating content, and staying visible. This is not just marketing; it becomes part of daily life, merging work hours and personal time. The need to “be available” can lead to burnout and make it hard to maintain healthy boundaries.
5. Social Isolation
Without the support structures of traditional employment—colleagues, HR departments, predictable schedules—artists can feel disconnected. This isolation can deepen when work is cancelled or moved online. Some found livestreaming sustaining during the pandemic; others found it demoralizing, missing the visceral feedback of a live audience. Digital platforms can offer connection, but they can also create new forms of precarity, with artists tying their self-worth to likes, follower counts, or donations.
6. Unequal Impact
Precarity hits hardest for those already navigating systemic barriers—women balancing caring responsibilities, migrant artists facing visa and work restrictions, or disabled artists with higher access costs. In such cases, insecurity is compounded, and opportunities are fewer.
7. Existential Questions about Value
When income is low or irregular, artists may begin to doubt whether their work “counts” as a real job. This doubt isn’t just external—coming from family, friends, or society—it can be internalised, eroding confidence. The result is an ongoing negotiation between the deep personal meaning of the work and the economic reality of making a living.
At The Green Room
We can’t change the system, but we can help you navigate it, protect your mental health, and strengthen your career sustainability.
What we offer:
Psychological counselling for stress, anxiety, burnout, and identity challenges.
Career coaching to help you plan for stability and flexibility in uncertain times.
Workshops on resilience, advocacy, and building supportive networks.
Peer connection opportunities to reduce isolation and share strategies.
Final Thoughts
Precarity in the arts is structural, but its effects are deeply personal. Recognising that your struggles are not just individual failings but part of broader systemic patterns can be a first step toward change.
Your work has value—even when the market undervalues it.
Building collective awareness, advocating for better conditions, and caring for your mental well-being are all part of sustaining an artistic life.
Reading List
Hancock, P., & Tyler, M. (2025). Performing Artists and Precarity. Springer.
Gross, S. A., & Musgrave, G. (2020). Can Music Make You Sick? Measuring the Price of Musical Ambition. University of Westminster Press.
O’Donnell, H. (2017). When Your Life is on the Financial Chopping Block. MusicMind Blog.
Author: Heather O’Donnell - psychologist, artistic-systemic therapist and founding director of TGR The Green Room