A record 23,000 visual artists and artist estates have claimed almost £5 million in Payback royalties from DACS in 2014. Payments are currently being made, with most artists expected to receive their royalties in time for Christmas.
Another record-breaking year for Payback
Once again, DACS is seeing more artists and estates benefit from Payback royalties than ever before. The royalties are an important income source for artists, and with individual payments ranging from £25 to £5,046, Payback goes toward supporting studio rent, materials and equipment, tax returns and anything in between.
Photographer Robert James Maclese said on Twitter: “Thank you @DACSforArtists for the donation to my new camera fund #ChristmasComesEveryYear”
Whiteism tweeted: “Our #payback14 money came today from @DACSforArtists, nearly enough to pay our studio rent for three months!”
Fine artist Richard Stone tweeted: “Received my royalties from @DACSforArtists today, nice surprise, but more importantly, representing empowering recognition for artists.”
Read more comments about Payback on Twitter.
Daniel Rudd, Artists' Services Manager at DACS, said:
“The staggering increase in claims this year demonstrates the enormous reach of Payback, and the demand for royalties when so many visual artists and their estates are seeing their incomes cut due to financial austerity and reductions in public funding.
We are delighted that, with the introduction of Payback membership this year, we can formally consult with Payback claimants on issues concerning their rights, and importantly, safeguard their existing and future royalties.”
Find out more about Payback
Our annual Payback scheme is open to visual artists and estates for all types of published artwork, from fine art and photography to design and illustration.
The royalties come from licences which allow ‘secondary reproductions’ of artwork, such as a photocopies of photographs in magazines and books or the repeat broadcast of TV programmes featuring artists’ work.
If your work has ever appeared in a UK book, magazine or TV programme, you’re probably eligible for Payback royalties.
Payback 2015 will launch next summer.
Sign up to our mailing list to receive notification when Payback re-opens in 2015.
Read more about Payback.
Image: Photographer Betsie van de Meer. Photograph by Brian Benson © Brian Benson