Rising number of performers seeking mental health support

View from behind a clinical specialist speaking to a patient
18 Mar 2024

Calls for sector focus to reduce high levels of poor mental health among performers following a 'destabilising and challenging' five years.

DACS launches national survey of artists’ earnings 

08 Mar 2024

Artists across the UK are being invited to take part in a survey intended to gain a better understanding of how they earn their money.

Commissioned by DACS (Design and Artists Copyright Society), the independent study will be conducted by the Centre for Regulation of the Creative Economy (CREATe), University of Glasgow.

The work follows a 2010 study that found artists' earnings averaged around £10,000 a year.

Christian Zimmerman, DACS's Chief Executive, said: “With the effects of Brexit, the pandemic, cuts to arts funding and the challenges posed by AI, it is more important than ever that DACS campaigns for stronger intellectual property protection, for policies that better support artists’ livelihoods, and for the arts to be a secure career prospect. 

"We need to build a clear and comprehensive picture of artists’ earnings today and how they are generating income in order to understand the challenges artists face in sustaining their practice. We want to hear from artists at all stages of their careers and from all disciplines.”

The survey, accessible here, is open from March to Sunday, 7 April. CREATe will publish a report on it in late 2024.

Chiswick House reveals 'creative campus' plans

05 Mar 2024

Chiswick House & Gardens Trust (CHGT) has unveiled plans to create a new learning hub with facilities to support 200 volunteers and artists’ studios.

The project aims to address the charity’s long-term viability and will also work with local residents to turn an unused outdoor space into a fruit garden.

CHGT said creating its new "campus”, Cedar Yards, will support the growth and accessibility of its volunteering and community activity. The addition of affordable workspaces for up to 100 artists and makers will also offer a new source of income for the trust.

So far, a third of the project cost has been raised, underpinned by funding from London Borough of Hounslow through Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) grants and funds from the Thriving Communities and Creative Enterprise Zone Grants. The rest of the funds are being raised from charitable and private sources.

Xanthe Arvanitakis, Director of Chiswick House and Gardens Trust, said: “This ambitious project has been designed to directly impact the wellbeing of our local community as well as enhancing cultural and creative enterprise activity in London Borough of Hounslow.

"By creating more public green spaces for local people, we can expand our learning and community programme, which is currently running at capacity. With the introduction of affordable workspaces for artists and makers, we will foster a local creative economy and generate much-needed new income for the trust.”

DCMS rules out broadcast-style equitable remuneration for music

27 Feb 2024

Following an IPO-commissioned report, DCMS Minister Julia Lopez says government will not enforce equitable remuneration for music streaming and will instead convene a music industry working group to consider the matter.

Manchester festival commits to supporting grassroots venues

21 Feb 2024

The Music Venue Trust (MVT) has announced an agreement with RADAR Festival for a percentage of every ticket to go towards supporting grassroots music venues via the charity’s Pipeline Investment Fund. 

RADAR Festival, the contemporary indoor music festival in Manchester, is the first festival to agree to donate to the Pipeline Investment Fund which has awarded more than £260,000 to 61 UK Grassroots Music Venues since it was founded in 2022.

Co-organiser Catherine Jackson-Smith said: “If we don’t protect the smaller venues then there isn’t a pipeline for the next [festival] headliners, and this ticking time bomb is something that the music industry can, and must, take action on.” 

MVT CEO and founder Mark Davyd said: “We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to RADAR Festival, for taking this bold step as the first festival to champion the Pipeline Investment Fund. 

"Their support is a strong commitment to the heart and soul of the UK's music scene, nurturing its roots through the vital network of Grassroots Music Venues."

My Gurus: Voices of influence

Image of Melissa Thom
13 Feb 2024

From radio host to founder of an academy, Melissa Thom has always worked with the voice. Here she pays tribute to some of the inspirational people whose voices have influenced her.

PPL reports record high payments to performers

07 Feb 2024

Collective management organisation PPL paid out £279.6m to 165,000 performers and recording rights holders in 2023.

This marks an increase of £34.9m (14.3%) on the previous year and is the highest annual total ever paid out in PPL’s 90-year history.

The £279.6m includes a payment of £7.7m by VPL, PPL’s sister company, which licences music videos when they are played in public or broadcast on TV. The £7.7m was a £1.6m increase on the previous year.

PPL cited the continued recovery from the Covid pandemic, as more businesses re-opened in the UK and globally, as a key factor in achieving the record total.

Its members receiving payouts range from independent and major record companies, to grassroots artists, session musicians and globally renowned artists. 

“We understand these payments are critical for many and we pride ourselves on our ability to deliver them consistently and on time,” said PPL CEO Peter Leathem.

“As neighbouring rights continue to develop around the world, we see a huge opportunity ahead to grow our market share and maximise revenues for performers and recording rights holders.”

Edinburgh Fringe: Accommodation boost for performers

Exterior shot of Queen Margaret University
06 Feb 2024

Partnership between Fringe Society and local university forms part of efforts to double number of affordable rooms available to performers for the 2024 festival.

Music streaming code of practice published

31 Jan 2024

A code of practice to provide clarity over methods of calculating and reporting revenues from music streaming has been published.

Music Week reports that the voluntary code, published by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO), has been developed and agreed by 12 music industry bodies representing music creators, record labels, publishers, digital service providers, distributors and collecting societies. 

Those to have signed up include Association of Independent Music, the British Phonographic Industry, the Independent Society of Musicians, the Musicians’ Union and PRS For Music.

The IPO will have oversight of the code and its implementation and will convene meetings of signatory organisations every six months to consider how the code is working, with a formal review in 2026.

"The Code is intended to act as a stimulus for companies and organisations to provide ever better communications with each other and with music makers," the IPO said. 

"It seeks to create a race to the top by driving up standards and encouraging parties to be transparent.  

"For the avoidance of doubt, any failure to abide by this Code shall not constitute a breach of any legislation or any relevant contracts, including licensing, recording, publishing and distribution agreements, which are regulated by their own terms."

UK visual artists earn £10m in royalties during 2023

29 Jan 2024

Design and Artists Copyright Society (DACS) has announced that it distributed £10.1m in Artist’s Resale Right (ARR) royalties in 2023.

The sum was split between 1,893 visual artists and estates, 228 of which were first-time payments to artists whose works had only recently begun selling above the threshold value of  €1,000 on the secondary market.

ARR was introduced into UK law in 2006. Since then, DACS has paid a total of over £125m in resale royalties, benefiting 6,121 artists and estates. 

Christian Zimmermann, DACS Chief Executive, said: “These monies recognise both artists' and estates' contributions to our society and the economy, with an art market worth £9.5bn and our creative industries contributing £116bn to UK GDP.

“Royalties go beyond financial transactions - they are essential catalysts for reinvestment, empowering artists to create and estates to preserve the artist's enduring legacy."
 

'Neglected housing' claim at artist studio scheme

Lakeside Centre
22 Jan 2024

Bow Arts provides low-cost housing and studios to artists in properties that have been deregistered from the housing list because they are due for demolition.

Most artists want AI regulation from government

18 Jan 2024

The majority of UK artists want the government to introduce legislation to protect their work from being used to train AI, according to a new survey.

Conducted by Design and Artists Copyright Society (DACS), the study found 89% would like to see the introduction of more robust safeguards and regulations around AI, with 94% saying they should be compensated financially when their work is used to train AI. 

Although 74% said they had concerns about their work being used to train AI, 84% would sign up for a licensing mechanism to be paid when AI uses their work. 

Nearly a third of respondents reported using an AI software or platform to support or assist their work. Almost the same proportion identified a lack of skills or training as a barrier to using AI in their practice.

As a result of the survey, DACS is making five policy recommendations to the government, including that AI models must comply with copyright law and artists must authorise the use of their works for AI training. 

DACS also wants government to adopt blanket licensing and levy schemes to compensate creators as well as a general improvement in pay and work for artists and incentives for AI training.

Northern Ireland artists receive £1m from National Lottery 

17 Jan 2024

Arts Council of Northern Ireland has named 292 artists awarded funding from a £1.04m National Lottery fund as part of its Support for Individual Artists Programme.

The scheme provides artists working across all disciplines with grants of up to £6,000 to develop new creative projects, purchase equipment, and support international performance opportunities and residencies.

Recipients include a horror music composer, aerial circus performer, prosthetic make-up artist and prop-maker.

“Individual artists are at the very heart of the creative sector in Northern Ireland, enriching our communities and bringing our theatres, music venues and galleries to life,” said Gilly Campbell, joint Director of Arts Development, Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

“Thanks to National Lottery players and money raised for good causes, funding from the Arts Council’s Support for Individual Artists Programme will provide artists, working across all areas of the arts, with the vital investment they need to embark on new projects, develop their ideas and find new and engaging ways to present their art.”
 

Performing arts workers facing ‘significant' childcare challenges

09 Jan 2024

A 'culture of silence' exists when it comes to discussing childcare issues in the performing arts sector, according to mothers interviewed as part of new research.

Skills programme for underrepresented creatives to launch

02 Jan 2024

A new skills training programme to support creatives looking to break into behind-the-camera roles on scripted film and high-end TV productions made in the West of England will launch later this month.

Bristol City Council’s Film Services will run the initiative after it secured almost £300,000 from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, led by Metro Mayor Dan Norris.

Delivered by The Bottle Yard Studios, Bristol UNESCO City of Film and Bristol Film Office - the three departments that make up Bristol City Council’s Film Services - the year-long programme will be open to regional participants from backgrounds currently underrepresented in the industry. 

Tailored training will prepare trainees for entry-level crew positions, with the aim of strengthening the pipeline of diverse local crew talent.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris, who leads the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, said: “The West of England is fast becoming the Hollywood of the UK. 

"Only recently, huge names like Disney+ have checked into The Bottle Yard Studios’ new state-of-the-art and West of England Mayoral Authority-funded TBY2 facility - that's a massive vote of confidence in our world-leading creative industries. 

"But to keep up the pace, we need to tap into the extraordinary wealth of creative talent we have in the West. That means supporting them with world-class training to create that new home-grown creative generation for the sector.

'Revolutionary' employment scheme for artists launches

The four LABA artists. From left to right: Ed Patrick, Munotida Chinyanga, Viv Gordon, Jamaal O’Driscoll
14 Dec 2023

Gloucester-based National Portfolio Organisation wants to see a 'step-change' in how artists are supported so they can work without pressure.

Positive early findings for Ireland's basic arts income pilot

Creative team two woman working with computer in modern office
12 Dec 2023

Study finds artists receiving a weekly stipend of €325 were less likely to experience anxiety and depression.

ACE creative practice grants: What chance success?

07 Dec 2023

With the closing date for the next round fast approaching, Arts Professional takes a look at applicant data from the previous Developing Your Creative Practice programme.

A guide to random selection

Tombola for random selection
04 Dec 2023

An ancient practice of balloting is being put to use in application processes with the twin aims of reducing unpaid labour and increasing fairness, writes Martin O’Leary.

New programme to support early-career theatre producers

28 Nov 2023

The League of Independent Producers (LIP) has launched a dedicated membership programme to help early career producers establish themselves in the theatre industry.

LIP's Junior Member programme offers an initial 12 months’ free membership followed by a subsidised membership for two years. Participants in the scheme will receive mentoring, professional development and access to events.

The scheme is open to new independent producers of any age in the early stages of their careers, producing work in the UK, with 36 members already onboard.

LIP board member Ameena Hamid said: “Running this programme is a real honour; I am able to be the person that I needed a little earlier in my career, and I love matchmaking people with more experienced producers that can help them face their present challenges.

“It’s a real pleasure to meet the producers that often come to us at pivotal career points and help them find their next steps. The programme is an exciting opportunity, particularly as we add more benefits for the Junior Members heading into this second year of the scheme.”
 

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