The Precarious Livelihoods of Independent Artists in Yogyakarta: Reconstructing Social Protection through Cultural Policy

Abstract

Independent artists frequently operate outside stable employment relationships and may experience irregular income, limited access to social security, and inadequate institutional support. Yogyakarta's large independent art community provides an important context for examining the relationship between artistic production and socioeconomic vulnerability. This article investigates the precarious livelihoods of independent artists in Yogyakarta and evaluates the adequacy of existing cultural policies in protecting their welfare. Using normative juridical and policy analysis, the study examines social security, cultural funding, employment regulation, and local arts policies. The article argues that artists should not be excluded from social protection merely because their work is project-based, freelance, or organized through informal cultural communities. The study proposes an artist welfare framework incorporating access to social security, transparent public funding, affordable studio spaces, emergency grants, professional contracts, and institutional mechanisms for addressing exploitation. Particular attention is given to the role of local governments in supporting independent artists who contribute to Yogyakarta's cultural economy but may lack stable institutional employment. A rights-based cultural policy would recognize artists as workers and cultural producers with legitimate socioeconomic rights. Strengthening artist welfare would contribute to a more sustainable and equitable cultural ecosystem in Yogyakarta.