Artists who work for the government will soon have the chance to become part of the civil service.

President Óscar Arias Sánchez signed a bill into law Tuesday that creates a system for artists of all types to gain protection of the civil service rules and salaries similar to others who work for the government.

This is a measure that had been introduced in the previous legislature.  María Elena Carballo, the minister of Cultura, Juventud y Deportes, pushed for the measure, and it was passed on second reading by the Asamblea Legislative last week.

The law creates five steps for artists, who may be from the fields of audiovisual, dramatic, literary, musical, or similar. Artists will win advancement and more pay as they earn points for academic degrees, shows presented, expositions given and other work as artists.

A university degree is not required, although having one will earn the artist points, said a summary of the new law.