Pearle* Governance

In 1998, Pearle* was recognised by the European Commission as the European Employers Association to represent management at the European level. Pearle* meets the workers represented by EAEA, the European Arts and Entertainment Alliance which regroups FIA, FIM and UNI-MEI, at the European sectoral social dialogue meetings for the live performance sector. The European social partners discuss a variety of themes established in a work program. The current work program (2022-2024) includes items such as social dialogue, health and safety, training and skills, mobility, the economic situation of the sector, diversity and gender equality and any other EU initiatives that impact the sector.

The European social partner undertakes several kinds of joint activities. Recent outcomes include the development of a database on social partner initiatives related to gender equality, the creation of European online interactive risk assessment (OiRA) tools for venues and for production, and guidance for musicians and ensembles travelling with musical instruments containing protected (CITES) species.

Pearle* is also committed to supporting the capacities of employers and employers associations across Europe to create a sustainable environment for live performance in Europe.

Finally, Pearle* takes part in the EEN (the informal European Employers' Network) facilitated by Businesseurope and is registered as an employers' organisation by ILO (International Labour Organisation) with grants and observer status at the International Labour Conference.

The live performance sector has more than 2 million workers, making it the largest cultural sector of the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) in terms of employment figures totalling 7 million workers. The turnover of the live sector is around 44.5 billion euros, compared to 535 billion euros for the CCI.

As a sector federation Pearle* follows international and EU policy developments closely and takes action in different policy areas and on various regulatory affairs, including EU cultural policy, education and training, copyright affairs, taxation and VAT, employment and social affairs, third-country nationals, external relations, environment, energy and other areas.

Registered as an interest representative in the transparency register of the EU, Pearle* is regularly invited as a stakeholder to present particular issues of the sector. With over 25 years of experience in the field of EU policy and regulatory affairs, Pearle* is a key partner for the European institutions. Relying on the expertise of its members Pearle* is able to represent the interest of the live performance sector.

Pearle* acts as a forum for exchanging information of relevance to members, sharing experiences in cultural management and technical skills, supporting and assisting the formation of sector federations and employers' associations and supporting capacities or management in the live performance sector.

Pearle* holds two main member meetings per year besides other meetings such as targeted seminars, events, and working groups.

Pearle* is a mixed network of association representatives and individual organisations that bring practice, policy and legal experts and other cultural leaders together to support the sustainability of the sector and promote live performance across Europe.

As a European network in the cultural sector, Pearle* partners with many other international and European networks on joint activities and projects with the aim of bringing live performance, culture and arts to the heart of our society and daily life.

Pearle* 's membership conferences are held twice a year, each time hosted by a member organisation and held in their home cities.

Pearle* - Live Performance Europe deals with all aspects of an organisation when producing a live concert or performance or managing a venue, theatre or concert hall. From the micro level to the macro level Pearle* provides information to its members and gives input to decisions and policy makers on issues of relevance to the sector and on policy initiatives.

Being part of Pearle* therefore means having access to essential information that impacts the daily operations of a live performance organisation or that may affect the sector as a whole.

As a member, you have a spokesperson in Brussels to represent your interests with the European institutions. Based in Europe, we also have close links with international institutions such as the OECD, Unesco, the Council of Europe, ILO and other Geneva-based institutions. We therefore take an interest in your views, your issues, and your questions.

Thanks to our broad expertise and relying on the know-how available in the Pearle* network members benefit from the various international contacts they can establish through the network.

Being a member of Pearle* is about

• being part of a professional and high-level network,
• participating in conferences, working groups, committees or other meetings,
• raising issues and questions of specific interest to your organisation,
• having your interests represented at the highest levels,
• receiving information focused on the sector,
• learning and being promptly informed,
• receiving analysis and briefings on various legislative issues,
• giving input to the drafting of position papers or responses to consultations,
• exchanging with colleagues in confidentiality and trust,
• being better prepared for what will come into effect through national legislation,
• being represented in and partnering with other European associations and bodies,
• working together to ensure a sustainable environment for the live performance sector

More than a hundred newsflashes, briefing notes, analyses, consultation papers, in-house publications, etc. are exclusively available to members.

Pearle* has two types of members: full members and associate members.

Full membership of Pearle* is open to established European national associations representing the interest of music and performing arts organisations and are members or employers. Only full members have a right to vote for the General Assembly and can be elected for the Executive Committee.

Individual organisations, non-European associations of employers or managers, and European associations representing employers or managers in the performing arts who are established may become associate members. Depending on the type of service, individual organisations can sign up for basic, plus or full associate membership.