Helen Goodman, Shadow Minister for Culture, Media and Sport, has announced her support for a-n/AIR’s Paying Artists campaign.
Goodman, who is the Member of Parliament for the Bishop Auckland constituency, is backing the campaign’s call for artists to be fairly remunerated for exhibiting in publicly-funded galleries.
She said: “I was delighted to meet with the Paying Artists campaign but very worried by the phenomenon they described. Artists should be paid for their work, just as any other professional would be.
“It is particularly important that publicly-funded institutions uphold the highest standards in workers’ rights. Labour believes access to the arts should be for the many, not only for those who can afford to work for free – that’s why I’m supporting the Paying Artists campaign.”
Living Wage week events
Two Paying Artists events are also taking place tomorrow and Friday during Living Wage Week. On Wednesday 5 November, Norwich Visual Art Forum and a-n host an open discussion on paying artists. Presentations come from writer and artist Alistair Gentry, artist Lawrence Bradby, and Councillor Alan Waters, Deputy Leader Norwich City Council. Book tickets here.
On Friday 7 November, AIR Council’s Joseph Young is taking part in a panel discussion at Tempting Failure festival in Bristol. ‘Paying Artists: programming performance platforms’ also features Hannah Clark (Bristol Biennial), Tania Harrison (Latitude Festival), Adam Young (Indivisible and LAB) and Simon Day (Theatre Bristol). Book tickets here.
More on a-n.co.uk:
Jeremy Deller: “I wholeheartedly support the Paying Artists campaign”
Yinka Shonibare MBE announces support for Paying Artists campaign
