Visual Arts Manifesto. December 2017

Campaigns - 7 December 2017

Scottish Contemporary Art Network (SCAN), Scottish Artists Union and Engage Scotland launched a new Visual Arts Manifesto on 11 December 2017, which is directly informed and compiled from data, surveys and members’ consultations.

This document is a direct response to the current challenges facing the art sector as a whole and our first public response to the new National Culture Strategy consultation process.

The Manifesto sets out our policy demands but also our collective commitment to positive change. This vision and set of ambitions for the sector will help ensure that we maintain Scotland’s global reputation as a dynamic, innovative place for contemporary visual arts.

Through this manifesto we commit to ensuring that diversity is celebrated and respected, that low paid cultural workers and artists have access to fair pay and professional working conditions and that barriers are removed for all those who choose to participate.

“We passionately believe in the important, intrinsic value of art and artists within society. This needs better understood and articulated, championed, and protected. But we also acknowledge change is needed. This manifesto makes public our commitment to work together, with others and with urgency to address the significant challenges and inequalities that exist within the visual arts in Scotland.

“This is a live document that will be updated regularly. We commit to continuing our discussions with others, listening to and understanding different approaches and experiences”.

Download (pdf 489.65 KB)