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Harmonic Dissonance: Coping with Employment Precarity among Professional Musicians in St John’s, Canada

Author

Listed:
  • David Chafe

    (Freelance Musician and Independent Researcher, Canada)

  • Lisa Kaida

    (McMaster University, Canada)

Abstract

Precarious employment literature has addressed a myriad of occupations increasingly characterized by employment uncertainty and reduced commitment between workers and employers due to short-term contracts and self-employment, with particular attention given to creative industries and the gig economy in recent years. The authors argue that research on creative industries also requires consideration of the role of place in the experience of employment insecurity and career commitment. This article focuses on self-employed musicians in the mid-sized city of St John’s, Canada. Interviews with 54 musicians draw attention to coping strategies for long periods of low pay and employment insecurity. These strategies include downplaying competition and conflict, acquiring higher education and changing career. It is argued that population size and location of the community where work is based have implications on such coping strategies and on career longevity.

Suggested Citation

  • David Chafe & Lisa Kaida, 2020. "Harmonic Dissonance: Coping with Employment Precarity among Professional Musicians in St John’s, Canada," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 34(3), pages 407-423, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:34:y:2020:i:3:p:407-423
    DOI: 10.1177/0950017019865877
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Menger, Pierre-Michel, 2006. "Artistic Labor Markets: Contingent Work, Excess Supply and Occupational Risk Management," Handbook of the Economics of Art and Culture, in: V.A. Ginsburgh & D. Throsby (ed.), Handbook of the Economics of Art and Culture, edition 1, volume 1, chapter 22, pages 765-811, Elsevier.
    2. Margaret J. Wyszomirski & WoongJo Chang, 2017. "Professional Self-Structuration in the Arts: Sustaining Creative Careers in the 21st Century," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-20, June.
    3. Abbing, Hans, 2002. "Why Are Artists Poor?," University of Chicago Press Economics Books, University of Chicago Press, number 9789053565650.
    4. Victor Ginsburgh & David Throsby, 2006. "Handbook of the economics of art and culture," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/1673, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
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