Artists living on Welfare. Who has not met them? It is so terribly common that it doesn’t even make you raise an eyebrow anymore. While a carpenter living on welfare is simply called unemployed.
The welfare system in The Netherlands aided the development of a culture in which an artist, following his calling to produce fine arts, is more privileged than other ‘professions’. While the unemployed carpenter has to go out looking for a job, the artistically challenged creative can lie on his bed for days on end in his quest for inspiration. Such imbalances are now being taken care of. And that’s a good thing. Calling yourself an Artist can no longer be abused as an alibi to hold out your hand for tax money and sleep in.
