September Newsletter
SAU AGM 2025
Thank you to everyone who attended the SAU AGM 2025. Thank you to all who took part in the discussions and thank you to everyone who presented reports. All of the motions were carried, and the actions have already been followed up.
Please see the updated SAU Constitution and Rules Book which also contains the updated membership criteria.
Credit: Cj Reay, 2025, Black Lodge Press
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
CONNECTING TOGETHER BUILDS OUR UNION
Following the unopposed nominations at AGM 2025, as of 1 September, SAU has a new configuration of the Executive Committee.
The office bearers are: Tamara Rogovic – President; B. D. Owens - (interim) Vice President; Dr Cat Dunn – Secretary; Rosa Moxham - Treasurer and the non-office bearers are: Jodi Le Bigre, Karen Davies and Nichol Wheatley.
Thank you to you all, it is a significant commitment to volunteer one's time to serve on the Executive Committee.
Online Orientation Session on SAU website & members portal
22 September, 7pm
In this one-hour session we will look at the new tools, features, and information available on the new SAU website and in the members' profile portal. We will also look at: how to use the members' directories, direct messaging, setting up your electronic business card, and privacy settings. We will also respond to questions that you may have.
If you have not already set up your membership profile, we highly recommend that you attend this session (or upcoming sessions).
To sign up to this session, please contact B.D Owens at campaigns@artistsunion.scot
Practical Support for Members 1:1
Our next Practical Support for Members 1:1 meeting is Thursday 2 October 11:00 - 12:00
This is a monthly opportunity for our members to speak privately over Zoom with our Scottish Artists Union Reps. Reserve your free 20 minute slot today!
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/practical-support-for-members-1-to-1s-monthly-tickets-483706337677
VACMA (Visual Arts and Craft Makers Awards)
VACMA has *two application deadlines in 2025/26:
Autumn deadline: 5pm, 21 October 2025
Winter deadline: 5pm, 3 February 2026
*However, please be aware that not all regional partners offer both deadlines.
Please note: If you are interested in applying, there are two information sessions on September 30th and January 13th.
For more information about VACMA (Visual Arts and Craft Makers Awards) please see this link
upcoming...
Applied Arts Scotland Connecting Makers workshop, 7pm - 9pm on Monday 29th September
Led by Helen Voce, the Connecting Makers online workshop is free for Applied Arts Scotland Members (using the code in the recent AAS Members Bulletin), and it is £10 for non-members. This workshop will explore:
what funding is
what its for and importantly what you want / need it for
where to hear about and find funding
how to prepare for and apply for funding
Find out more about the Connecting Makers workshop and Applied Arts Scotland here
Latest updates on US tariffs (import taxes) affects shipping / courier / postal service to US
If you ship your artwork to the US, it is important to keep track of the latest rules and updates regarding US tariffs (import taxes).
The Global Trade Department has been hosting update webinars. Past webinars are available to watch on their yourtube channel.
Palestine Solidarity Working Group
On 22 August, SAU members attended the National Union of Jounalists (NUJ) vigil to remember, and pay tribute to, the hundreds if Palestinian journalists who have been killed and wounded - many of whom have been directly targeted/assassinated while reporting on the genocide taking place in Gaza. The speaker in the photo is Nick McGowan-Lowe, the NUJ national organiser for Scotland. The vigil was organised by NUJ Glasgow Branch members to protest Israel’s ongoing slaughter of media workers and civilians in Gaza, demand the UK end its complicity by stopping all arms sales to Israel and call for an immediate ceasefire. PRESS FREEDOM FOR GAZA NOW!
Photo credit: B. D. Owens
We encourage everyone to watch the Democracy Now interview with filmmaker Sepideh Farsi about her friend and colleague Fatma Hassona. Sepideh Farsi’s film, Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk, features 25-year-old artist Fatma Hassona - photographer, poet, journalist and musician - who was killed with her family in what appears to be a targeted attack, on the day after the film was accepted to Cannes Film Festival. You can read the Cannes Film Festival tribute to Fatma Hassona on their website at this link https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/press/press-releases/tribute-to-fatma-hassona/
Updates from the Scottish Parliament:
On 7 August, Ross Greer MSP wrote a letter to First Minister John Swinney MSP urging Scottish Government to align with the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Campaign (BDS). See his letter at this link. https://rossgreer.beehiiv.com/p/scotland-can-boycott-israel-without-westminster
On September 3rd, in the Scottish Parliament, First Minister John Swinney MSP gave a groundbreaking speech on the “Situation in Gaza”. See link to the transcript of his speech here https://www.gov.scot/publications/situation-in-gaza-first-ministers-statement/
If you would like to learn more about BDS and the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI), the Scottish TUC have a very informative website page, see link https://www.stuc.org.uk/campaigns-int-palestine/
At the SAU AGM 2024, SAU members voted on a Motion to endorse PACBI, and to sign the Art Workers for Palestine Scotland form to register our endorsement. We encourage all arts orgs to endorse PACBI. There are over 230 arts orgs in Scotland that have already endorsed PACBI and registered on the AW4PS form. You can find out more about how to endorse PACBI, and how to register an organistation’s endorsement at this link https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1FwWvsmEKYB3SpSjmpvb_2tqGBscoALstwsV7CoIzl7g/viewform?edit_requested=true
To join upcoming sessions of the SAU Palestine Solidarity Working Group, please contact
Scotrail - scrapping peak fares campaign
Thank you to all of you who signed the petition, and campaigned, to scrap peak fairs on ScotRail. Peak fares on ScotRail have been permanently scrapped this month, which is a huge win for Scotland! This was a campaign in collaboration with the Scottish TUC and rail workers’ trade unions. The cheaper all-day fares will enable more SAU members to be able to afford to travel to and from their workplaces across Scotland. SAU members with ScotRail Club 50 cards, should also keep an eye out for additional reduced fare offers that sometimes occur in the autumn months.