Artists Union England Solidarity Fund

https://www.artistsunionengland.org.uk/ 

Artists Union England creates a Solidarity fund to aid members in hardship caused by the Covid-19 crisis.

Under the current Government self employment scheme (SEISS), many people have missed out on receiving any kind of support. Self employed artists have fallen through the gaps in the system because they supplement their work in the arts with PAYE jobs.

Unions across the country are acting now to address the extreme situation brought on by the covid-19, that will effect our working conditions for years to come. We expect to see a large reduction in public facing work as we move forward. This will hurt those working in the creative sector, who already operate in a highly competitive environment. The earnings are notoriously low, and the working conditions are often precarious.

The Livelihoods of Visual Artists study (2018) reported artists earning an annual average income of £16,000; and, that 2/3 of artists make less than £5000 per year from their creative practise.
According to AUE in 2016 70% of the membership are female, with nearly half acting as carers. They will be disproportionately effected by the additional social care responsibilities during lockdown. Compounding already longstanding inequalities, and, forcing some of our most vulnerable in to hardship.

The Artists Union England has listened to our hard working members across the country. In response, the Solidarity Fund will give easy access to small funding pots for members in hardship.