The European Union has adopted the Culture Compass for Europe, a novel framework aimed at integrating culture into EU policy-making for the first time. Developed by European Commissioner for Culture, Youth and Sports Glenn Micallef, this forward-looking mechanism seeks to gather insight, promote best practices, and shape future legislative priorities in the cultural sector.
According to Micallef, the Culture Compass is a long-term vision for the cultural sector, addressing the need to safeguard artistic freedom and its role in sustaining democracy. “When artists are free to express themselves, when they are free to artistically express their voices, then democracy has a voice,” he emphasized.
Culture Compass: A New Era for EU Cultural Policy
The Culture Compass is expected to be approved by all three EU institutions in 2026. One of its key commitments is the periodic publication of a “Report on the State of Culture in the EU,” which will be informed by an EU cultural data hub monitoring developments and pooling best practices. This report is considered the cultural counterpart to the EU’s “Rule of Law Report.”
The framework also aims to strengthen artistic freedom and provide greater access to European culture and heritage. Micallef highlighted the significance of the cultural sector, which contributes €200 billion annually in value added to EU economies and accounts for 40% of the bloc’s tourism. The cultural sector employs almost 8 million people, roughly 4% of the EU’s working population, spanning a wide range of jobs.
Addressing Contemporary Concerns: AI and Artists’ Working Conditions
The Culture Compass addresses the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the cultural sector. Micallef noted that digital technologies, particularly AI, are transforming cultural creation. However, concerns regarding copyright have emerged, with many artists expressing frustration about AI models being trained on copyrighted work without permission. The EU has existing regulatory frameworks, including the Digital Services Act, the AI Act, and the Copyright Directive, to safeguard artists’ rights.
To further address these concerns, the Culture Compass proposes developing a new AI strategy for the cultural and creative sectors. This strategy will focus on promoting collaboration between creatives and the digital sector, ensuring the ethical use of AI, and identifying necessary support and adaptations to protect content and creators. A recent Europarl report highlighted the economic impact of the cultural and creative industries in Europe.
Additionally, the Culture Compass seeks to improve artists’ working conditions. Micallef emphasized that the sector faces precarious working conditions, with many artists struggling to make a decent living. To address this, the framework proposes setting up an EU Artists Charter, which will recommend commitments for fair working conditions and increase compliance and accountability.
The discussion on the EU Artists Charter is set to begin in December with a high-level round table on artists’ working conditions. This initiative aims to send a strong signal of the EU’s commitment to improving the situation for artists and creatives. As the Culture Compass moves forward, it is expected to have a significant impact on the EU’s cultural landscape, promoting a more integrated approach to culture and addressing the challenges faced by the sector.
