The situation and the role of artists in the European Union

The Parliament adopted its report, drafted by Ms. Helena VAZ DA SILVA (EPP, Portugal), without debate. The Parliament calls for the examination by the Commission of possible ways of approximating social protection and tax legislation relating to artists and their works, and for it to ensure that its forthcoming proposal on multimedia technology takes account of the fact that it could constitute a threat to the legitimate interests of creative artists and performers. It stresses the importance of sponsorship in the field of artistic creativity and calls on the Commission to encourage partnerships between foundations and between private companies seeking to develop artistic activities at European level. It calls on the Commission to - step up action on the professional training of artists within the framework of the Social Fund; - establish a system of study and training grants for young artists within the Leonardo programme; - ensure that the Socrates programme includes a properly balanced proportion of students doing artistic training. It calls on the Member States to discuss in detail the possibilities of bringing their social and fiscal laws as close together as possible on the basis of the Commission's proposals.�