Over 4000 artists and arts professionals have co-signed a letter to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, backing policy recommendations to support the visual arts sector that have been developed by 24 visual arts organisations.
The letter has been signed by 4,223 artists and arts professionals including artists Dame Sonia Boyce, Sir John Akomfrah, Mona Hatoum, and Heather Phillipson, asking the new government to consider short-term policy recommendations including:
- the introduction of the Smart Fund, a private copying scheme that could generate around £300 million/ year in copyright revenues for creatives and visual artists.
- the appointment of a Freelancer Commissioner to advocate for the working rights of freelancers in the visual arts sector and across the creative industries.
In the longer term, the group calls for the extension of the Museum and Galleries Exhibition Tax Relief, a new Creative and Cultural Agreement with the EU, and planning reforms to incentivise the creation of artists’ studios and creatives spaces. In addition to economic support, the manifesto calls for a curriculum that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and empathy, stressing the importance of investing in creative education. It advocates for the integration of visual literacy into the national curriculum at Key Stage 2 and ensuring every school child visits a cultural organisation every year.
Read or download the letter below:
Visual-Arts-Manifesto-Letter-and-Names-1-1
Christian Zimmermann, CEO, DACS says:
“We write this letter at a time in which galleries, studios, museums, and visual artists face significant challenges that severely impact their ability to sustain their practice and to earn a living from their work. From the dramatic reduction in culture spending by local governments, and the reduction in funding streams supporting independent artists, to the rise of Generative AI that threatens the copyright and livelihoods of visual artists. At this critical time UK artists need robust support to continue creating the works that enrich all our lives.”
Julie Lomax, CEO, a-n says:
“Investing in artists secures our creative future and continued global leadership in the visual arts. We feel confident that the Government will agree to collaborate with us by making small changes, such as legislation, which will have a huge impact on the livelihoods of artists and the health of the visual arts in the UK. We believe the Manifesto is as much about shared values as it is investment, and that the Government share our vision for a thriving, world leading visual arts sector that values artists’ creative practice.”
Paula Orrell, National Director, Contemporary Visual Arts Network says:
“Throughout our national network in England, we hear about the deep-rooted challenges facing our sector. It’s essential that this new government fully grasps the gravity of these issues and collaborates with us to find solutions. The Manifesto outlines the foundation for starting this crucial conversation.”
– Sir John Akomfrah, who is representing Britain at the 2024 Venice Biennale, says:
“Artists have been unsupported for too long, and the new Government has the opportunity to put this right – by investing in creative education, by supporting freelance artists, and by enabling new spaces for the creation of art, across the UK. This Manifesto provides a framework for the long-term success of the Visual Arts.”
The letter and a full list of signatories is available here.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
DACS, a-n and CVAN, along with a number of visual artists, are available for comment and interview. For more information please contact:
Kate Rosser-Frost, Head of Communications and Engagement, DACS
kate.rosser-frost@dacs.org.uk +44 7931 227451
Alistair Small, Communications and Engagement Lead, DACS
alistair.small@dacs.org.uk +44 7502 214434
Further information on the complete set of policy recommendations can be found here [pdf] and at https://www.dacs.org.uk/news-events/visual-arts-organisations-call-next-government-to-action
About DACS
Founded in 1984, DACS is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to championing, protecting, and managing the rights of artists and maximising their royalties. It envisions and works towards a society which recognises, respects, and values all artists. DACS is a collective management organisation (CMO) collecting and distributing royalties to artists, creators and their beneficiaries. In 2023, DACS distributed £17.6 million in royalties to members through its services. DACS also campaigns and advocates for the rights of artists and creators, working with partners across the sector and with government to make sure artists receive fair pay for their work.
DACS members include Sonia Boyce, Sir Frank Bowling, Dame Tracey Emin, Sir Peter Blake, Damien Hirst, Yinka Shonibare CBE, the Estate of Francis Bacon and the Andy Warhol Foundation and many more.
Dacs.org.uk | @DACSforArtists
About a-n
We are the artists’ advocate. Guided by our members and advised by our Artists Council, we campaign on crucial issues, from fair pay to intellectual property, ensuring that artists’ voices are heard and shaping policy at the highest level.
Open to every artist, our inclusive, open-minded community connects members to the services and opportunities they need to thrive, empowering them to make change for the better.
We are outspoken champions of the value of artists to society because we believe artists see things differently, offering much-needed perspectives that connect us, enrich our lives and create wonder for the world.
About CVAN
Contemporary Visual Arts Network is an organisation where the visual arts meet policy change. We work in partnership with our nine regional networks across England to campaign and advocate for the visual arts sector at a national level. We create programmes of support for artists and art workers and develop organisational support that promotes learning and knowledge. We campaign for the sector to be heard, valued and recognised so that the visual arts can thrive now and in the future. https://cvan.art/