The visual arts are at the heart of the UK’s creative economy. From driving economic growth to enriching communities and shaping culture, the sector is recognised as a key ‘growth-driving’ force in the government’s new 10-year Industrial Strategy. But to ensure its sustainability, decisive action is needed.
In response to the government’s green paper, we’ve joined forces with The Association of Photographers, Contemporary Visual Arts Network and DACS to propose clear policies to strengthen and future-proof the visual arts.
Key recommendations include:
- Establishing a Freelancer Commissioner to champion fair pay and better working conditions
- Improving contract and payment terms for freelancers
- Increasing access to creative education and skills
- Enhancing investment in public and private funding streams to secure long-term growth
Our response highlights critical challenges: a decade of declining arts funding, systemic low pay for freelance artists, and the rise of AI undermining artists’ ability to protect and monetise their work. But it also outlines clear solutions, such as integrating creative subjects into the National Curriculum, introducing tax reliefs for visual arts organisations, and encouraging investment that reflects the sector’s cultural and economic value.
With the right policies in place, the government can support innovation, inclusivity, and resilience. The visual arts can then continue to enrich lives, drive creativity, and contribute to a thriving economy across the UK.
