DACS events to explore 40 years of artists’ rights

DACS presents a programme of public events to celebrate 40 years of protecting artists’ rights. The series brings together artists, campaigners, arts organisations, galleries and thought leaders in the field of Intellectual Property rights, to explore the critical challenges facing artists in 2024 and beyond.

2024 marks 40 years since DACS was established by a group of artists and lawyers to stand up for artists, ensure fair pay, and safeguard their copyright. DACS has distributed more than £200 million in royalties to date and to mark this milestone, we are convening a series of panel discussions throughout June at Shoreditch Arts Club, focused on the past, present, and future of artists’ rights.

The way artists create, distribute and sell their work, and how they sustain their livelihoods, is constantly changing, and it has perhaps never been harder or more precarious to sustain a career.

Timeline of events

Tuesday 11 June 6.30pm - 8pm: Artists’ Rights: Sustaining artists now and in the future

The series will begin with a panel exploring the current climate for artists in the UK, how we got here, and where we may go to next. How can we create better conditions for artists, from commission and contracts to rights, royalties and legacies?

Panellists: Fatoş Üstek, Independent Curator and Co-Director, FRANK Fair Artist Pay; Charlotte Warne Thomas, Artist; Russell Martin, Artquest; Christian Zimmermann, CEO, DACS.

Chaired by Henry Broome.

Tuesday 18 June 6.30pm - 8pm: Collectives: Reshaping the art world

Panel two will explore the ways in which artists and artist-led initiatives are harnessing the power of collective action to improve conditions for artists and the wider sector. What new models for artist support should we be calling for?

Panellists: Emma Edmondson, Artists & Founder The Other Ma (TOMA), Southend-on-Sea; Jonny Tanna, Founder, Harlseden High Street; Evan Ifekoya, Artist and co-founder, Black Obsidian Sound System; Kuba Szreder, Independent Curator; Reema Selhi, Head of Policy and International, DACS.

Chaired by Francesca Gavin, Artistic Director, viennacontemporary and Editor in Chief, EPOCH Review.

Tuesday 25 June 6.30pm - 8pm: Art & Tech: Protecting Artists and Enabling Creativity

Panel three will explore the wide-reaching impact of new technologies on artistic practice and the ways in which we experience art. In a rapidly changing environment, how do we ensure the artist is supported and their rights are protected?

Panellists: Alasdair Milne, Serpentine Gallery Creative AI Lab; Rodrigo Esmela, Chief Commercial and Product Officer, Arcual; Reema Selhi, Head of Policy and International, DACS.

Chaired by Fi Churchman, Senior Editor, ArtReview.