Self-Management of Work in the Creative Industries in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, a paucity of research on the characteristics of creative work means that decision-making is inhibited by a reliance on data sets with insufficient resolution for detailed analysis. The most vulnerable creative workers - those whose work is sporadic and features multiple concurrent roles - may be the least represented in official data collections. This study draws on an in-depth survey of work portfolios reported by 511 creative workers, thus highlighting the complexity of creative work. The results centre on four themes: multiple roles, multiple identities, unstable income and career. In light of increasing self-employment in the creative industries and related challenges, the authors discuss the precarious nature of creative careers and the vulnerability of creative workers. Implication's for management are discussed and recommendations are offered.