APPG for Visual Arts discusses challenges faced by freelance visual artists

The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Visual Arts held its first meeting of 2024 on Wednesday 7th February, focused on the challenges faced by freelance visual artists. The group discussed the working conditions of visual artists, and the precarity, low pay and unpaid labour which is endemic across the sector and heard from artist Charlotte Warne Thomas on these issues, and the support that a Freelancer Commissioner would bring.

What is the APPG for Visual Arts?

All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) are informal cross-party groups that have no official status within Parliament. They are run by and for Members of the Commons and Lords with support from organisations from outside Parliament in their administration and activities. 

The All Party Parliamentary Group for the Visual Arts has been established to provide a forum for parliamentarians to foster a deeper understanding of the issues and challenges faced by UK visual artists.

The APPG for Visual Arts’ statement of purpose is to:

• Advance the understanding of how visual artists carry out their practice and develop their careers;
• Ensure fair pay for visual artists and safeguard their intellectual property rights;
• Recognise the value artists bring to society and the UK economy, and ensure their artistic contributions are rewarded;
• Foster an environment in the UK in which visual artists can flourish.

Visit the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Visual Arts website