Artworker attestation

1. New Rules Artworker attestation
2. Unemployment Benefit Fee for Artworkers

New name, new rules, new procedures

The new name for the artist status is artwork status. This is to emphasise the intention of both the relevant cabinets and the sector that collaborated on the new regulations to be more inclusive. Indeed, the WITA, Working in the Arts working group, to which Artists United collaborated, is at the basis of the new statute It is no longer about an 'artist statute, limited to artists only, but indeed about all art workers who make an essential contribution to a creation or artistic realisation or production, ... 

The artist visa changed to art worker attestation in 2024. If you had a valid visa, you received your art worker attestation via your e-box. 
As of January 1, 2024, the artist visa will no longer exist and will be replaced by a new “Artworker Attestation”. Everyone who received an artist visa through artist@work that was valid until at least 1/1/2024 received a message in December informing them that they would receive an artwork certificate on 1 January.
f your e-box (https://myebox.be/nl) was not activated, you can check on the Wita pro website https://workinginthearts.be/nl/professioneel, in your personal environment, whether you received the attestation. 

 An artworker attestation can be issued for artistic, artistic-technical or artistic-supporting activities. The decisive factor is the essential contribution to an artistic creation or performance, whereby the artistic, artistic-technical or artistic-supporting character prevails.  In its assessment, the Artwork Commission takes into account the remuneration received and the time investment and, where appropriate, invisible work.
To make use of the typical artistic article 1Bis contract you need to apply for the Artworker Attestation (former 'visa artists'). All 3 types of attestation grant you the permission to work with 1bis contracts;

Necessary artistic contribution

The old statute already included technical-artistician and technical-support functions, but this name change to artworker status clearly puts forward greater inclusiveness. 
An art worker is someone who engages in a remunerated professional practice in the arts. It also includes artistic-technical and artistic-support activities. The art worker derives a significant part of the income from these activities and invests a considerable amount of time in them. However, there must always be a 'necessary artistic contribution' to obtain this certificate.  
The status can be for artists, technicians and support functions. 
The Commission will examine for each core activity whether you state the following:  
- whether it takes place within one of the artistic domains exhaustively listed by the law;  
- whether it is indeed an artistic, artistic-technical or artistic-supporting activity;  
- whether you are making a contribution with this activity that is necessary for an artistic creation or performance

Two-stage rocket 

On the one hand, there is the attestation. On the other hand, the UBF of Unemploymen Benefit Fee system. You will need a certificate 'plus' to obtain an artworker UBF.
You will need at least the attestation 'basic' to work with a 1bis contract (formerly called the attestation 'basic', the 'artist visa'. Both the 'basic' attestation, the 'plus' attestation and the 'starter' attestation give access to work with a 1bis contract).
The attestation thus becomes the entry ticket to the new status. Just as in the past one had to apply for a so-called artist's card for the KVR, and an artist's visa for the typical 1bis contract for artists, from 2024 one will have to apply for an attestation. Application should be made from 2024 to the new Commission. This will consist of 50% people from the sector (unlike the situation today with the current Commission).  
MORE INFO: www.workinginthearts.be/nl/professioneel/handleiding

From January 1, 2024, the artist visa will no longer exist and will be replaced by a new scheme consisting of 3 types of certificates:
- Ordinary artwork attestation;
- Artwork attestation "plus";
- Artwork attestation "starter".

As an art worker, you formulate a general application. It is the Artwork Commission that will verify which type of attestation you qualify for.
The artwork attestation will be a necessary condition to access the various schemes in which there are specific rules for art workers. For example, if you wish to apply for an art work allowance, the requirement will be that you have a "plus" or "starter" art work certificate.

Ordinary artwork certificate: 
Required to use a 1Bis contract. Áall art workers who have an attestation will be able to use a 1bis contract. This attestation will replace the artist visa from 2024.  
To prove: At least 1,000 euros of income from 'core artistic activities' (**) as well as uncle description of professional artistic practice 

Artwork certificate 'plus' 
One must, in order to obtain the 'attestation plus' for the first time : 
- either prove 5,418 € professional income on 2 years plus file with the new Commission; 
- or 13,546 € over 5 years of professional income plus a dossier submitted to the new Commission; 
- or €65,400 demonstrating professional income and NOT submitting an additional dossier (i.e. an automation). 

Artwork certificate "Starters"
Exceptional scheme for beginners with a higher education artistic diploma or equivalent:
€300 plus submit a career plan; also valid for 1bis contracts

Renewal of attestation  
- either €4,515 on 5 years of professional income plus file a demand with the new Commission; 
- or €2,709 on 3 years of demonstrating professional income plus filing a demand with the new Commission. So that is more or less €900 on one year. 
Below that amount, one does indeed assume one is not working professionally. 

Artwork allowance - Unemployment Benefit Fee for artworkers

NEW system 
- Being in possession of the "plus" artwork attestation 
- 156 days or corresponding amount bruto salary in a refercence periode of 24 month.
This then gives 36 months a 'first period (no drop in benefits); 
- Prolongation: prove 78 days or corresponding amount bruto salary

attention: Once in possession of an artwork certificate (plus or starter), the RVA/ONEM will no longer look at the nature of the activities.
Example: the person concerned receives a 'plus' certificate on the basis of an activity as an actor.
During his reference period, the person concerned performed performances for which he received the following:
- 9,000 gross salary from a salaried activity as an accountant
- 2,500 gross salary from his gainful activity as an actor
- 1,000 gross salary from a salaried activity in education
His average daily wage is 12,500/156 = 80.12 euro