This is my speech to Trade Union Congress on 10th September 2024 moving this motion.
Congress,
I speak to you as a composer, first time delegate, first time speaker and member of the Musicians Union. We are in the midst of a perfect storm. Successive Conservative governments have slashed arts funding, and the consequences of these cuts are being felt across the country
The UK’s cultural sector has long been the envy of the world. Orchestras, opera houses and ballet companies, art galleries, theatres and community arts projects, we have a rich and varied tradition of artistic excellence, engagement and export. But today, these institutions are struggling. Since 2010, we’ve seen a 46 percent real-terms cut to arts funding. Large organisations like the English National Opera, Northern Ballet, and Welsh National Opera and countless smaller organisations and independent producers are now being forced to make cuts to stay afloat. That’s if they are even able to stay a float.
In the recent National Portfolio funding decisions by Arts Council England, organisations like Psappha ensemble, an organisation that celebrated its 30th birthday in 2021 and founded to bring new music to people across England and support the development of composers, was forced to close. Happy Birthday.
Scotland is going through the same process right now with organisations who want three years of stabilities going through an onerous process.
Congress, I have had sight of a pre-publication report into the impact of this process. It is not pleasant reading. Freelancers reporting projects, regular work and a whole range of activities scaled back, paused or cancelled by organisations undertaking the MYF application. Organisations already at capacity diverting resources to attempt to ensure their continued existence and jobs they support. I now run one of these organisations and spent around 100 hours of unpaid time writing this application.
The kicker?
Then, in the last few weeks Creative Scotland was forced to close their Open Project Fund with just 11 days warning because the Scottish Government failed to release already promised money. This fund is the only way freelance artists are able to access money for professional development and self-initiated projects. This closure generated over 800 applications for an ask of £12 million. The equivalent of around 6 months of applications in the usual run of things. This has caused another a huge impact on freelancers both financially and on their mental health.
On Thursday, less than a week after the closure, the Scottish Government released the money leaving Creative Scotland to work out what to do with this massively increased demand, freelancers to question was it worth the stress, and the sector to work out why they were used as a political football by an arm’s length organisation, underfunded for the demand asked of it.
If you hadn’t guessed, I live in Scotland. I have benefited from the Open Project Fund for Individuals employing around 80 people through 10 successful projects over the last 10 years totalling just under £100,000. However, I have only paid myself around £25,000 of that to deliver these projects. In other words, about £2,500 a year to manage projects lasting up to a year. I have first hand experience of how this fund supports an artists development but equally understand the precarity of working in an under funded sector.
This motion isn’t Scotland specific, but I use these examples to show a wider problem. Musicians, on average, earn just £20,000 a year, far below the national average. Like many we are affected by inflation, but as a large proportion are freelancers, inflation effects the cost of us running our business. We must pay everyone and everything else before we can pay ourselves.
This is not a sustainable level of income.
Musicians, dancers, actors, artists, set designers, and technicians to name a few are not just artists; they are highly trained and skilled workers, and they deserve the same respect and protections as any other worker. And yet, for too long, their contribution to our economy and society has been overlooked.
According to ACE, every £1 turnover generated by the arts an additional £1.23 is generated in the economy. For every full time role in the arts a further 1.46 full time jobs are created and for every £1 in employee compensation a further £1.24 is supported in the wider economy. The creative industries are worth £126bn to the UK economy!
What we need is a government that recognises the arts not as an afterthought, but a vital part of our nation’s fabric and our international profile and reputation. That is why we are calling on the General Council to lobby the government to prioritise arts funding. This is not about charity; it is about smart, strategic investment. It is about recognising that a thriving cultural sector is essential to a thriving economy. It is about recognising we need bread and roses.
Thank you.
Motion Text
The UK’s arts and culture sector is facing a perfect storm. Funding cuts, rising touring costs and the cost-of-living crisis are threatening the future of the UK’s world-renowned orchestras and other arts organisations.
Successive Conservative governments have overseen a 46 per cent real-terms cut to arts funding since 2010, which has had a direct impact on musicians’ jobs and pay across the UK, at English National Opera, Northern Ballet and Welsh National Opera to name but a few.
For the first time since 1984, the MU has successfully balloted for industrial action several times in the past 12 months, demonstrating how serious the situation has become.
Our members’ livelihoods are on the line with our data showing that musicians, on average, make £20,000 a year. There is a real risk that many will leave the industry, which would have a devastating impact on the UK’s cultural ecosystem and economy.
Conference calls on the General Council to lobby the government to prioritise funding of the arts as part of their plan for economic growth.