Precarious work -- not just a problem for artists anymore

For an artist, precarious work isn't a new trend. Artists have always worked from contract to contract, gig to gig, cobbling together a sustainable life (or trying to) from a wide variety of sources.

What is new in recent years is that it's not just artists who are living a financially precarious life.

Our guest today on rabble radio is the co-organizer of a festival called Precarious in Peterborough Ontario. And it's not just about precarious artists. Because precarious work isn't just an art problem anymore.

The festival takes a broad look at precarious work in all sectors of the economy through the lens of art. It is organized in partnership with a wide variety of funders and supporters including The City of Peterborough, unions, a local Indigenous group and even a group concerned with food security.

Kate Story is a writer, performer and former Newfoundlander now living in Peterborough Ontario. She is co-organizer of the Precarious Festival.

Precarious: Peterborough ArtsWork Festival is being held until December 3rd. One of the highlights of the festival is a talk by Pulitizer prize winning American journalist and activist Chris Hedges. His presentation is called "Writing as Resistance", and will take place on November 20, 2017.

His talk is being presented by Public Energy. They'll be recording it and have graciously agreed to share Chris Hedge's talk with rabble.ca — so keep a watch out for it next week.

Image: provided by Precarious.