By Saman Rai and Waqar Jappa
Artist Social Support System or ASSS (an Urdu language word which means HOPE) is work in progress at Information and Culture Department, Govt of the Punjab. (ICD). It aims at providing the much needed social and financial security to the artist community of the Punjab. It has been envisaged to serve as a fountainhead of light and hope in the lives of artists throughout the length and of breadth the province. It is a comprehensive plan encompassing monthly stipends; life insurance, subsidized housing facility, public sector employment, one time emergency grant (in case of medical treatment or marriage of children) and soft loans to budding artists.
If everything goes as planned, it will certainly prove for the artists of Punjab what “New Deal” proved for the people of America during the Great Depression of 1930s. It was a series of initiatives started simultaneously by the then President of the United States of America, the great Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) to get the masses out of economic crisis.
Likewise, it is hoped that this will be a catalyst of change for the artist community and make them stand on their feet. It will certainly get them out of the tunnel of despair and lead them towards a journey of hope, optimism and happiness. It will revive their lost trust in the art form they practice and take them to the new heights of self assurance and glory. The only thing they have to fear as FDR had said will be fear itself- the fear of becoming an artist, of practicing art in our part of the world.
That said, following initiatives will encompass it;
A.) Artist Khidmat Card: Information and Culture Department (ICD) in collaboration with Punjab Social Protection Authority (PSPA) will issue this multi feature card to the artists of the Punjab who have made a notable contribution in any of the following fields of the art such as: Film, T.V, Dance, Theatre, Music, Painting, Calligraphy and Sculpture etc. It will cover a monthly stipend as recommended by PSPA after gauging the applicant’s data on poverty scale.
It will be a systematic and highly transparent mechanism to transfer funds among artists through an allotted number in the bank account of the beneficiary. The recipient of the card will also be entitled to enjoy maximum waiver on all forms of travel and routine medical treatment for minor ailments. However, for serious medical treatment and other exigencies, it is proposed that a separate fund named after an eminent artist will be established.
Mapping of the artists throughout the province and data collection on a specific Performa issued by Information and Culture Department is already under process. So far, data of the artists from 22 districts has been received and double checking to avoid redundancy and fake entries is being carried away by Punjab Council of the Arts- Punjab’s premier body with gross root level presence responsible for promotion of arts and culture in the province.
B.) Life Insurance of the Artists: Information and Culture Department (ICD) is aware of the fact that the life of an artist is not an ordinary man’s life and it has to be protected and ensured like an asset worth caring about. It is also cognizant of the fact that in case of sudden demise of the artist, his family does not have to look up to here and there for immediate help. Keeping this in mind, the department has had first meeting with the representatives of State Life Pakistan- the country’s largest Insurance Corporation to get the best deal for the artists. ICD and PSPA will get the artists ensured and pay the required money on behalf of the artist. Life insurance of the artist is a reason enough to believe that their Government cares about them and they too are one of the most privileged segments of the society.
C.) Subsidized Housing Facility for Artists: ICD believes that no social welfare or support system is complete without providing the basic need of shelter to its citizens. It is an inalienable right given to every individual in the land of the Lord. Keeping this noble deed of virtue in mind, ICD in collaboration with PSPA authority proposes a subsidized housing facility for artists. If Government can give subsidy to farmers to boost up agriculture, it can certainly build subsidized homes for artists to uplift creative economy.
A detailed mechanism on the initiative will be chalked out with all the stakeholders including private sponsors. One of the arrangements can be to add one block of multistory apartments in government societies. 50 percent of the cost will be borne by state and remaining 50 percent will be paid by the “allottee” at affordable installment plan spreading over 10-15 years. A pilot project initially can be launched at Lahore which could be replicated to other cities.
D.) Public Sector Employment for Artists: A specific percent of quota can be fixed for the artists and their children on the pattern of women quota in all public sector job openings. It will have two immediate benefits; one, it will dismantle the common perception that labels artists as “others” and thus unfit to undertake serious tasks. Second, it will instill a sense of acknowledgement in the mind and heart of the artist that the art form he or she practices is worth it and it can be put to use other than that. Moreover, specific seats in Arts Councils throughout the Punjab can be filled with prioritizing someone with a diploma or degree or proven experience in arts.
E.) One time exigency grant for Artist: Many a time, it happens that an artist of good repute falls seriously ill but cannot afford proper treatment or he does not have enough resources to wed his daughter off. One often finds reports in newspapers of such cases. And by the time state reaches for help, many times, the artist in need of immediate aid has long gone expired. Such a situation is equally sad and painful. In order to avoid such an episode, ICD in collaboration with PSPA proposes a onetime emergency relief fund named after a renowned artist. It should be seen separately and not be equated with monthly stipend programe.
F.) Soft Loans for budding Artists: The way of the world is going through a transitional phase with every passing day. Though, economics still very much determine the fate of a state in the comity of nations yet, the real question is which facet of the economy has to be more focused than others? Is it agricultural economy, industry driven economy, Information Technology based economy, Knowledge economy or Creative Economy that you want to prioritize over others? If the writings on the wall are clear, one would say that the age of IT is fast passing and soon it will be overtaken by creative economy.
In this backdrop, it is suggested that ICD in collaboration with PSPA should establish a separate fund to provide soft loans to the budding artists. A detailed mechanism can be agreed upon between the stakeholders. The idea behind this initiative is encourage graduates in art and cultural studies or any other young artist who has an idea but lacks necessary funds to convert it into reality. This initiative will certainly go a long way in encouraging young artists and promoting new expressions of art in the province.
At the heart of this initiative lies the noble idea that Government of the Punjab is aware of the socio-economic conditions of this rare but highly talented segment of our society. It feels that time has come to take full ownership of our artists who have made a significant contribution in their respective fields of art. It is hoped that “Project ASSS” with its various initiatives will set the course for the welfare of the artists and become a role model for other provinces to follow.
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Saman Rai has masters in Public Policy with a specialization in Social Policy from Australian National University and Waqar Jappa has an M.Phil in Media Studies from University of the Punjab.
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