Artists’ Union England yesterday celebrated becoming a fully certified trade union with a ‘Certification Launch’ at the House of Commons.
Attendees at the event included the artists Margaret Harrison and Conrad Atkinson (founder members of the Artists’ Union in the 1970s) who gave statements of support, as did new artist member Fiona Dent, Kelvin Hopkins MP, shadow secretary of state for culture, and Doug Nicholls, general secretary of GFTU (General Federation of Trade Unions).
A statement from AUE said: “This certification launch for Artists’ Union England marks a moment where we can truly work democratically for and together with artists for the changes we want to see. AUE now claims its place in a proud history of Trade Unionism alongside the family of unions such as BECTU, Musicians Union and Equity.”
The launch, which was followed by a meal and party in the evening at Open School East, was also a chance for AUE to thank other unions for their support, including Scottish Artists Union, Unite and the Musicians Union.
The AUE statement continued: “Artists Union England looks forward to a growing community of informed arts workers who can themselves have the tools and knowledge to support one another in a more just and fairer society.”
For more news stories relating to artists’ fees and pay, use the Paying Artists tag.
a-n’s Paying Artists campaign aims to secure payment for artists who exhibit in publicly-funded galleries. www.payingartists.org.uk
More on a-n.co.uk:
Negotiating a better rate of pay (a-n member resource)
Sir Nicholas Serota to leave Tate to become chair of Arts Council England
