Covid-19

Advocacy

We are working with partners to amplify the immediate concerns of the sector and our membership.

Read all about our advocacy work we carried out for our members in 2020. We’ve found new ways to connect with members far and wide; we’ve spoken up for contemporary art at the highest level and we’ve continued to provide opportunities for developing and nurturing your skills.

In January 2020, SCAN’s Director Moira Jeffrey attended the meeting of the 3rd Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee today to present evidence on the impact of Covid-19 on SCAN’s Membership and the wider Visual Arts community in Scotland. This information was gathered from the visual arts workforce survey which we carried out in partnership with Scottish Artists Union.

We are currently working with partners across the UK to raise awareness of the Museums and Galleries Exhibition Tax Relief scheme and support those yet to claim.

Member support and programming

Members can continue to share concerns by email, [email protected]

With ever-increasing pressures through work and home, there are times when we all need some extra support to balance the demands of everyday life. SCAN have joined the PAM Assist Employee Wellbeing scheme to allow our staff and members to access to free online and phone support for wellbeing, mental health, legal and financial advice. The confidential support is available 24/7 for the next 12 months and you can view their website here pamassist.co.uk. Log in details have been emailed to all SCAN members.

We’re running regular member meetings via Zoom on a range of topics, from funding and impact needs to digital working and the role of visual arts in creating a civic space. Keep an eye on our socials for details or join the SCAN Members Facebook Group.

We will continue to post further updates on Covid-19 and news of any work we are carrying out to support members on this page.

Useful links and guidance

On Tuesday 23 February Scotland’s Strategic Framework Update was released.

It is expected current restrictions will begin to be relaxed from the end of April and we understand that the hope is that all of Scotland will move to Level 3. Galleries can open and operate, with appropriate measures in place, in local authority areas at tiers 0 to 3. Galleries in local authority areas in tier 4 and temporary lockdown are required to close.

We’ll share information with our members as soon as it becomes available. We’ll advise you if there are any changes to this or to the detailed guidance when the Scottish Government next publishes updates.