Empowering Creatives to Lead Social Change

Malawi's artists are creators, culture-keepers, and income generators, but for too many, creative work is a daily balancing act of one-off gigs, late payments and unpredictable earnings. This study shines a light on the informal economy of Malawi's creative sector: who is earning what, how often, and where artists are falling through the cracks. The goal is simple and urgent: turn anecdote into evidence so policy, funding and practice can actually support creative livelihoods.

The story we investigated

Across Malawi, artists survive on a patchwork of paid performances, commissions, workshops, streaming, and short contracts, what we call gig-based employment. "Gig providers" often don't count these workers, so programs miss them. Our study set out to measure the economics of gig work for artists, to understand whether gigging is a stepping stone, a side hustle, or a sustainable career.

What we learned (The big picture)

• Artists in Malawi largely rely on short-term, gig-based incomes rather than stable salaries.
• Earnings are inconsistent and often insufficient to cover basic needs; many artists cobble together multiple casual jobs each month.
• Payment delays, lack of formal contracting, and dependence on informal intermediaries are major barriers to reliable income.
• Because official labour surveys rarely capture creative work, arts workers remain "invisible" to many policy tools and social protections.

(These findings are drawn from the study's survey and interviews and reflect the lived financial realities of the artists who responded.)

Key Recommendations

• Develop standardized contract templates for creative gig work
• Establish artist support funds for emergency financial needs
• Create digital platforms connecting artists directly with opportunities
• Advocate for inclusion of gig workers in social protection schemes
• Implement financial literacy programs tailored for artists

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