December 10, 2020 3:20 PM

Members Festive Newsletter 2020

This is a Members Update containing information about our joint Visual Arts Workforce Survey with SCAN, and our closing times for the festive period.

SAU & SCAN Visual Arts Workforce Survey

After a year like no other, we are keen to find out the effects of Covid 19 on our members, and the visual arts sector in general. Help us gain important information about how the pandemic has affected you during 2020. We want to know how you and your livelihood have been affected this year so that we can understand and advocate for the needs of the sector. We've teamed up with SCAN to gather vital information from the visual arts workforce on Covid-19 and its impacts.

SAU and SCAN will be presenting evidence to the Scottish Parliament CTEEA group (Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee) on the 28th January, and this information will allow us to present the fullest picture.

We really appreciate you taking the time to fill out this survey, it should only take 10 to 15 minutes and is completely anonymous. This survey is open until Thursday 7th January 2021.

Take part in our survey

We are really grateful for your participation in this.

SAU Team Festive Break

The SAU team will be taking a well-earned break over the festive period from Monday 21st December until Tuesday 5th January 2021.

Don't hesitate to contact us in advance of the 21st if you need any assistance or support. The best way to contact us continues to be by email as we are all currently working from home. ([email protected])

We hope that you have a really enjoyable festive season and look forward to working with you all again in 2021.

Event Tonight !

There's still time to sign up for the last of our Learning Events this year -

A Sustainable Visual Arts Sector: Climate Change Adaptation on Thursday 10th December, 7-8pm

Our third and final session will share the research undertaken by Catriona Patterson from Creative Carbon Scotland. Through adaptations in technology, behaviour, practical responses to the change in climate artists can change how they work to become less vulnerable in the future. You can find more information about this event

Book your place HERE

STUC Cultural Trade Unions Video

Here is a link to a video made by recent DJCAD graduate and SAU member Stella Rooney, that was showcased at the recent STUC Congress for the cultural Trade Unions : watch the video here

Also please find attached the recent STUC report on the effects of the pandemic on the Culture and Hospitality sectors.

report file

Seeing Red Campaign:

We want to thank all our members who have sent us their pictures and quotes, and participated in our #SeeingRed Campaign; by posting Red images on social media with the hashtags #SeeingRed and #SeeingRedSAU; also giving us quotes about how hard things are for creative practitioners due to the pandemic.

It has been great seeing your artworks and we will continue to push this campaign over the coming months, so if you have any red images please send them to us by email at [email protected].

"This Land Is Your Land" 2012, blue on red, by Sam Ainsley

Check out our social media posts and please share on Twitter: @SCOArtistsUnion | FB: ScottishArtistsUnion | Instagram: artistsunion.scot

Support Your Union!! Together We Are Stronger!!

There’s never been a more important time to be part of a union, help us fight for a new ‘normal’ that supports the arts and culture!!

If you want to help SAU further please encourage fellow artists to join up, or get involved with the Executive Committee by attending our meetings (all currently online!). Email us and we will send you the link.

Please help us promote the activities of the union on social media by following us and sharing posts.

We are here to help. We are a small team of part time workers and a voluntary executive, currently email is the best way to get in touch as we are all currently working from home.
Stay safe & healthy everyone.

Yours in Solidarity,

Everyone at Scottish Artists Union