123 days until the full implementation of the Artist’s Resale Right Aug 30. 2011 | Comments (2)

30 August 2011

It’s been a long fight for visual artists in the UK seeking equality with their European cousins and the enjoyment of an Artist’s Resale Right.

French artists have enjoyed royalties from the resale of their works since the 1920s; German artists from the 1950s. By the time the Right was harmonised across Europe in 2001, there were only five EU countries that didn’t already have some form of resale royalty. The UK was one of these countries.

Artists in the UK campaigned for 10 years before the Artist’s Resale Right Directive was passed by the European Parliament in 2001. It took a further five years for it to come into law in the UK in 2006. The final implementation due in 2012 will allow artists' families and beneficiaries to enjoy the Right, and will mark 20 years of campaigning.

It should not be so hard to convince law makers of the value of such rights in supporting visual artists!

Since the first stage of implementation in 2006, over 2000 artists have received more than £12 million in resale royalties. Some who oppose the Right claim these are insignificant figures – and certainly not worth their effort in administration.

I completely disagree.

Over a period when Arts Council grants to individuals for visual arts related activities have been cut by 40%, resale royalties matter. These royalties recognise the effort and investment artists make in developing their careers, and the work continued by their families and beneficiaries to promote and protect the legacy left behind.

Artists still have a fight on their hands. The Artist’s Resale Right has always, inexplicably, attracted a disproportionate amount of opposition. The next 123 days will be critical and your support for this petition will help secure this important right.