In light of the referendum decision for the UK to leave the European Union, DACS remains committed to playing a full and active role alongside government and across our international network in championing artists’ rights in the UK, Europe and throughout the world.
Although the UK’s relationship with the EU may seem uncertain, the UK currently remains one of its active Member States and all UK laws and regulations, derived from EU law or not, continue to apply unchanged.
This includes laws such as the Artist’s Resale Right (ARR), which has derived from a European Directive, but which has been implemented into UK law in 2006. ARR is vital for an artist’s income as it helps them to reinvest in their practice and to manage an artist’s legacy and is a significant driver of the UK’s thriving creative economy. DACS campaigned for this right on behalf of visual artists and was instrumental in supporting its introduction and extension. We will continue to work tirelessly to protect and promote artists’ rights including ARR, which for more than 10 years in the UK has proven to be of great benefit to visual artists and estates.
While it will take some time to determine what legislative changes will be made in the future, DACS is monitoring political processes and will work closely with policy makers, the industry and our artist members to safeguard artists' livelihoods and their interests, so they can continue to positively contribute to the creative economy and culture in the UK and the world.
We will continue to update members on any relevant developments.
Image: Helen, Backstage, The Merlin Theatre (The Glance), 1996 © Wendy McMurdo. All Rights Reserved, DACS 2016.