November 04, 2022
Members Newsletter November 2022
Here's our latest newsletter for SAU members; with information about our next Learning Event, and...
November 04, 2022 5:07 PM
Members Newsletter November 2022
Here's our latest newsletter for SAU members; with information about our next Learning Event, and other relevant information including news about our festive Office Opening Hours over the festive season.
Come along to our next Art, Work & Power Event, (in real life not online!) on Saturday 19 November 2022, at 11am – 5pm.
Using a radical and liberatory educational model, participants will use their own experience and (embodied) knowledge to understand how power dynamics dictate the conditions of our work and the art that we make. We will then learn how we can build our own, communal, power to restructure those conditions on our own terms.
The course is open to any worker in Scotland and we welcome the participation of those working across all art forms. The course will be particularly useful to people engaged or interested in community and/or labour organising.
This edition of Art, Work & Power is generously hosted by Generator Projects.
Please email us with any queries about these events to - [email protected]
In The News
We were recently interviewed by a journalist from The National newspaper, in response to the news of the recent closure of Modern Two, run by National Galleries in Belford Road Edinburgh; and also of the shock closures of the Filmhouse & Belmont Cinemas in Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
You can read the article "Closure of Modern Two is 'just the tip of the iceberg' warns Scottish Artists union" here or here's a PDF version for those who are stopped by the paywall
Other News
Our Climate & Sustainability Sub Group recently worked together to submit a response to the Scottish Government consultation 'Land Reform in a Net Zero Nation' consultation. Thanks to everyone who contributed. We believe that it is important for us to take part in these important discussions and to give a perspective from a creative point of view. If you are interested in reading our submission please get in touch with [email protected].
The next meeting of the C & S Sub Group will be online on Wednesday 23rd November at 5-6pm, come along and tell us what you thought of COP27.
Please email [email protected] for a Zoom link for the meeting.
Migration, Displacement & International Solidarity Working Group
The next meeting of our Migration, Displacement & International Solidarity Working Group will take place online on Thursday 10th November, 5-6pm, all members welcome.
Please email [email protected] for a Zoom link.
Universal Basic Income
Our friends at UBI Lab Arts are helping to host an event on Wednesday 7th December at 6.30-8pm that will explore the Basic Income trial for artists in Ireland.
The first in a special series of discussions dedicated to reflecting on what we can learn from the Irish Basic Income for the Arts Pilot.
We are keen to help build momentum around UBI and have formed a UBI Campaigning group, we'll be in touch about future plans but in the meantime if this is something that you feel strongly about, get it in touch and let us know, at [email protected].
Elsie Inglis Statue Commission
Concerns have been raised with the Scottish Artists Union relating to the commissioning process for the Elsie Inglis statue in Edinburgh. Our trade union advocates and campaigns for artists to be treated professionally and with respect. This includes ensuring competitions or commissions are run with equality, fairness and transparency through a clear process of briefs, agreements and contracts. Our union will question unpaid labour and expects Fair Work principles to be adhered to at all stages, including industry standard Rates of Pay. If you are an SAU union member who has been affected by the competition, please feel free to contact the union in confidence at [email protected].
For artists who are not members - consider joining us to receive representation and collectively campaign against poor practice in the visual arts.
SAU Report: STUC Roundtable discussion on Abortion Buffer Zones
SAU Executive member Shona Macnaughton recently attended an STUC (Scottish Trade Union Congress) Event 'Abortion Buffer Zone Roundtable'. Here's her report outlining what the event was about.
STUC Women's Conference
Staff member, Karen Vaughan, and Exec Committee member, Tamara Rogovic, attended the STUC Women's Conference at Glenrothes on behalf of SAU. We will publish their report over the next few weeks.
FESTIVE SEASON OFFICE CLOSURE
The SAU office will be officially closed for the winter festivals break from the 21st of December 2022 to January 4th, reopening on Thursday 5th January 2023.
Please note that if people need to join SAU to get access to insurance for anything happening over that period, or in January, they will need to get their applications processed by the first week in December.
GIFTS!
XMAS is coming and it's the time for giving!! Have you thought of giving a GIFTED SAU MEMBERSHIP as a gift??? Please contact [email protected] to find out how.
Also don't forget that we have a growing range of SAU merchandise in the form of T-shirts and Totebags available to purchase from our website. These make great presents, while helping to promote our union, and all proceeds help us to support artists and makers in Scotland.
FAIR WORK Leaflets
If you would like to help promote the Union by distributing our FAIR WORK leaflets please get in touch and we can send you a bundle. Email us at [email protected] with the title 'Leaflets'
Updated Documents
Here are links to this years Insurance Documents and Recommended Rates of Pay for 2022/23
Here's a link to our Recommended Rates of Pay, that should be used for the current financial year.
Here's a link to this year's Insurance Documents, which comes as part of you membership and that you can download when you need them. (We have stopped sending these out as paper documents in order to save on unnecessary paper and postage).
Have you checked out our list of Members Discounts ? As well as the free Insurance and legal advice that comes with your membership, you can benefit from big savings on art and materials supplies and various other relevant services.
Also: The Edinburgh International Festival have informed us that SAU members qualify for a 30% discount on tickets for Art Workers at this years EIF. Go to their website for more information. Tickets are subject to availability.
Show your solidarity with fellow artists by using our new "I'm a Member Sticker".
Have you tried using our 'Fair Work Contract Templates'?
Our 3 FWC Templates can be used for creating or checking contracts for Exhibitions & Projects; Sales & Commissions; Workshops & Events; and are available for our members to download from the Resources section of the website HERE.
Brexit information for creatives working in the Arts in Europe http://ukeartswork.info
Please help us promote the activities of the union on social media by following and sharing posts.
@SCOArtistsUnion | FB: ScottishArtistsUnion | Instagram: artistsunion.scot
Support Your Union!! Together We Are Stronger!!
We are here to help. We are a small team of part time workers, all artists and creatives, and a voluntary executive, currently email is the best way to get in touch.
Stay warm, safe & healthy everyone.
Keep on Keeping on!!
Yours in Solidarity,
Everyone at Scottish Artists Union
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