Because of the COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic and its repercussions for independent professional artists (API) and intermittent workers in the entertainment industry, additional support measures have been put in place for the period from 1 November 2020 to 28 February 2021, namely:

• social aid benefits for independent professional artists with the possibility of receiving monthly social aid up to the social minimum wage for skilled workers;
• additional daily allowances for intermittent workers in the entertainment industry up until 20 additional daily allowances per month;
• an adjustment of the conditions of access in the context of applications for entitlement to benefit from social support measures.

These temporary aids and measures are in addition to those already in existence for independent professional artists and intermittent workers in the entertainment industry.

Who is concerned

The independent professional artists and intermittent workers in the entertainment industry who are entitled to receive social aid benefits from the Cultural Social Fund (Fonds social culturel) are:

• artists who create and interpret in the areas of graphic and visual arts, the performing arts, literature, and music;
• creators and directors of artistic works and stage technicians who use current or novel photographic, cinematographic, sound, audiovisual or other state-of-the-art technologies, be they digital or otherwise.

Prerequisites

To obtain additional social aid benefits, applicants must:

• be entitled to receive social aid benefits from the Cultural Social Fund (Fonds social culturel); and
  
• justify that the lack of activity is in direct relation to the exceptional event.

Deadlines

Applications can be made retroactively for the previous month.

Consequently, applications for aid for:

• the month of November 2020 can only be submitted during the period from 1 December to 31 December 2020;
• the month of December 2020 must be completed and sent between 1 and 31 January 2021;
• the month of January 2021 must be completed and sent between 1 and 28 February 2021;
  
• the month of February 2021 must be completed and sent between 1 and 31 March 2021.
  

How to proceed

Filing an application

Applicants must submit their application for additional support using a form which is meant to complete the usual aid application concerning them (see the section "Forms/Online services"):

• API (independent professional artists); or
• intermittent entertainment-industry worker(s).

The applicant must send the signed and dated application to the Ministry of Culture by:

• email to the following address: declaration-aide@mc.etat.lu; or
  
• post to:

In their application, applicants must indicate:

• their surname and first name(s);
• their 13-digit Luxembourg national identification number;
• for intermittent workers in the entertainment industry, to obtain additional allowances: the number of days of involuntary inactivity among the days declared on the main form that are directly related to the COVID-19 crisis;
• for independent professional artists, to obtain additional monthly aid: a list of the projects cancelled/postponed during the month, and the associated loss of income.

By signing the application, applicants:

• provide an affidavit that the information given is correct;
  
• are aware that:
  • they risk the aid being recalculated if they provide false information;
  • the cumulation of financial aid (aid for the self-employed and/or other support measures in relation to the COVID-19 crisis) may affect their application.

Supporting documents

Applicants must include the following with their application:

• a declaration of honour (usual application form);
  
• for intermittent workers in the entertainment industry:
  
  • a certificate from the producer/show organiser containing information on:
    • the planned and cancelled days and income ;
      
    • the days performed and compensation paid;
      
• for the API:
  
  • a certificate from the organiser of the event containing information on the planned dates and payments;
    
• where appropriate, supporting documents relating to artistic projects such as performances, exhibitions, residencies, events, etc.

For example: work contract/agreement for work or artistic residence, poster, invitation card, confirmation email, etc.

Applicants may indicate, in the context of:

• an application for an intermittent worker in the entertainment industry to obtain additional allowances: an assessment of the lack of work related to the effects of the crisis when the loss of activity can be demonstrated on the basis of verifiable information that reflects the applicant's usual activity;
• an application for an independent professional artist to obtain additional monthly aid: an assessment of the losses linked to the effects of the crisis when the potential income for the month in question can be demonstrated on the basis of verifiable information that reflects the usual artistic activity.

Good to know

There are specific conditions in relation to the application for entitlement to social aid benefits.

For independent professional artists

In order to receive social aid benefits, an independent professional artist must meet the general conditions.

One of these general conditions is that the artistic activity must have generated income of at least 4 times the monthly minimum social wage for unskilled workers in the course of the year immediately preceding the application.

This income-based condition is reduced by 714 euros for each month of the state of crisis (period determined by Grand Ducal regulation). The periods, determined by Grand Ducal regulation, range from:

• 1 March 2020 to 31 August 2020; and
  
• 1 November 2020 to 28 February 2021.
  

For intermittent workers in the entertainment industry

In order to receive social aid benefits, an intermittent worker in the entertainment industry must meet the general conditions.

One of these general conditions is that the intermittent worker in the entertainment industry must have proof of a period of activity lasting at least 80 days during the 365 calendar days preceding the application. This period of activity is reduced by 7 days for each month of the state of crisis (period determined by Grand Ducal regulation).

The periods, determined by Grand Ducal regulation, range from:

• 1 March 2020 to 31 August 2020; and
• 1 November 2020 to 28 February 2021.
  

Forms / Online services

Who to contact