The Cuban Ministry of Culture announced on Friday the implementation of Resolution 28/2026, a new policy outlining the latest rules regarding the hiring practices and compensation methods for individuals working in the artistic sector across the nation.
This regulation, published in the Ordinary Gazette No. 78 of 2026, from pages 157 to 163, supersedes Resolution 44 from June 16, 2014, which had governed the employment relationships within the artistic community for over ten years.
The directive follows the enactment of Law 189 "Labor Code," approved by the National Assembly of People's Power on July 30, 2026. The Final Second Provision of this law specifically tasks the Minister of Culture with setting contractual and remuneration standards for the sector.
The scope of the resolution includes artists and artistic units within music, performing arts, and audiovisual fields, as well as agencies and centers under the Cuban Institutes of Music, Arts and Cinematographic Industry, National Council of Performing Arts, EGREM, ARTEX S.A., and provincial music and performing arts centers and councils, among other authorized entities.
Artistic Evaluation: A Core Requirement
A pivotal aspect of the regulation is the requirement for an artistic evaluation as a prerequisite for formalizing any contract within the sector. "Artistic evaluation is an essential requirement for hiring workers in the artistic field, except in the cases of exemption provided in this Regulation," states Article 3.1.
Exemptions apply to graduates from the professional artistic education system assigned through the Distribution Plan, demobilized military personnel who were previously contracted artists, artists relocated for justified reasons with union agreement, and temporary hires for urgent needs not exceeding three months.
Contractual Arrangements and Payment Structures
The resolution also prohibits employers from hiring artists deemed "devalued." It acknowledges three types of contracts: fixed-term—the primary mode, with a maximum term of one year, which is renewable—, for the execution of a specific performance or work, and indefinite-term contracts.
Each contract must specify, beyond the general elements outlined in the Labor Code, the artistic specialty, the mode of work—individual, collective, or both—, venues of activity, payment amounts and frequency, and personal appearance requirements where applicable.
Regarding compensation, Article 5 outlines three possible approaches: time-based payment, equivalent to a monthly salary according to the level of artistic evaluation; results-based payment, aligned with approved amounts; and payment for the commercialization of artistic performances, which are considered personal income.
The regulation also details that a contract may be terminated due to general reasons or specific sector-related issues, such as demonstrated incapacity or the dissolution of an artistic group.
Additional Regulatory Framework
Resolution 28/2026 is part of a broader set of norms published in the same Gazette No. 78, which includes Resolution 29/2026 on the evaluation of artistic workers and Resolution 30/2026 concerning the contracting and commercialization of artistic performances both in Cuba and internationally.
The new Cuban Labor Code will take effect 90 days after its publication, making its application active by mid-December 2026.
Understanding Cuba's New Artistic Regulations
What is Resolution 28/2026?
Resolution 28/2026 is a regulation introduced by the Cuban Ministry of Culture that establishes new rules for hiring and paying artists in the country.
Who does the new regulation affect?
The regulation affects artists and artistic units in music, performing arts, and audiovisual fields, including various agencies and centers under the Cuban Institutes of Music, Arts and Cinematographic Industry, and other authorized entities.
What are the key contract types under the new resolution?
The resolution recognizes three contract types: fixed-term, specific performance or work execution, and indefinite-term contracts.