A powerful start to 2026, with ARR, freelancers and AI leading our advocacy work so far

With Parliament days away from rising for Easter recess, we recap our key advocacy and policy activity since the start of the year.

20 Years of Artist’s Resale Right

In February, DACS gathered with artists, estates, parliamentarians and professionals from the art industry at the House of Lords to celebrate two decades of the Artist’s Resale Right (ARR) coming into force across the UK.

Speeches were given by Minister of State for Trade Policy and Economic Security Sir Chris Bryant MP – a longstanding parliamentary champion of ARR, DACS CEO Christian Zimmermann and Judy Corbalis - author and wife of the late sculptor Phillip King - reflecting on ARR’s impact, its artist‑led origins, and its continued importance for creators and their estates.

The ARR campaign in the UK began in 1993 as the Artists’ Campaign for the Resale Right, led by an artist executive committee with the support of a legal adviser and a DACS‑provided administrator. In 2005, a giant canvas bearing the names of more than 1,000 artists, including Tracey Emin and Peter Blake, was delivered to Downing Street in a powerful show of support for the right.  

Since the introduction of ARR in 2006, DACS has distributed £144 million to 7,000 artists and their heirs, including £9.2 million in 2025 alone. Over half of ARR payments (59%) are under £500, showing that it also supports works that sell for smaller amounts, not just those at the top end of the market. Around 8% of payments go to first-time recipients, including emerging artists born after 1990, demonstrating that lesser-known talent benefits too.

DACS continues to advocate for ARR’s protection in UK law and for wider international adoption, so artists can benefit wherever their work travels and resells.

AI and Artists: Key updates

On 18 March, the Government published its report on the AI and Copyright consultation which closed in February 2025. Following strong sector feedback, their response is a shift away from their previous preferred option of a text and data mining exception. DACS’ contributions to the consultation are reflected throughout both the Government’s report and the accompanying impact assessment.  

Christian Zimmermann, CEO, DACS said: “Copyright is a fundamental principle allowing artists control and fair pay for the use of their work. It is vital that our government does not open the door to tech companies to train AI models on artists’ works without permission and pay. We are pleased the Government has announced today that no new copyright exceptions will be introduced – which the UK's visual artists and creators welcome. DACS will continue to engage with government to work towards solutions for control, fair remuneration and transparency.”  

This followed the publication of a report on AI and copyright by the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee, which recognised that the rapid development of generative AI poses a “clear and present danger” to creators, unless copyright law is properly upheld and enforced.

The report was informed by an extensive inquiry into large language models and generative AI, during which the committee heard oral and written evidence from creators, collecting societies, technology companies and legal experts.  

DACS played an active role in the inquiry, with Reema Selhi, Head of Policy and International at DACS, invited to give oral evidence to the committee in December.

Continuing DACS’ advocacy to ensure control, credit, and compensation – which our January 2024 report Artificial Intelligence and Artists’ Work found 95% of our members want – our CEO Christian Zimmermann in January joined leading voices at ‘The Future for Intellectual Property in the UK’ conference, hosted by the Westminster Legal Policy Forum.

Christian highlighted that opt-out systems, such as those adopted in the EU AI Act, have proven ineffective - particularly in the visual arts, and stressed that compliance with copyright law and licensing - through collective, blanket, and bespoke agreements, offers the best route to fairness and legal certainty.

Looking forward to the remainder of 2026, DACS will continue to track developments and advocate for rights that give artists real control over their work and intellectual property. AI offers transformative opportunities, but without robust protections and fair remuneration, the viability of creative careers is at risk. 

All-Party Parliamentary Group for Freelancers

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Freelancers held its inaugural Annual General Meeting on Monday 9th March 2026, with secretariat to be provided by Bectu, ALCS, DACS, Directors UK, and Freelancers Make Theatre Work.

The APPG has been created to provide a dedicated parliamentary forum that reflects the realities of modern freelance work and ensures that freelancers are properly represented. The group will begin with a focus on the creative industries, where freelance working models are well established, before widening its scope to other sectors.

Its members agreed a set of initial priorities, including building better support for freelancers by improving understanding of how freelance work is structured. The group will also focus on financial support for freelancers, access to stability and opportunities for growth

DACS and other organisations’ lobbying for the creation of a Freelancer Commissioner – a dedicated role in Government to advance the understanding of issues affecting freelancers in policymaking – has been instrumental in the Government’s commitment to appointing a “freelance champion”.

We will continue to work with the freelance champion, APPG for Freelancers and Government to advocate for fair treatment, improved support, and greater recognition for freelance artists and creators – 70% of whom operate in freelance roles.

International cooperation

In March, DACS CEO Christian Zimmermann joined international partners in Sydney to celebrate the centenary of CISAC, the world’s leading network of collective management organisations, as a Board member representing visual artists.

The International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) is the world’s leading network of collective management organisations. Founded in 1926, CISAC represents creators across music, audiovisual, drama, literature and visual arts, working to ensure their rights are recognised and protected worldwide.

CISAC represents more than five million creators globally. It advocates for effective copyright frameworks, sets professional standards for collective management organisations and supports the development of international systems that enable accurate and efficient royalty distribution.

Having been elected to the CISAC Board in June 2025, Christian is ensuring DACS can contribute to global discussions about the future of creators’ rights at a pivotal moment for the creative industries. 

Looking ahead

As part of our mission to champion, protect and manage the rights of visual artists, DACS actively campaigns for the protection of artists' rights on behalf of our members.

Our strong start to 2026 reflects the importance of this work and highlights the ongoing need to ensure artists are protected, valued and fairly represented as the sector continues to change.  

About the author

Frederick Antonovics is the Policy and Governance Officer at DACS, assisting with drafting briefings, communications, attending policy meetings and monitoring updates on sector developments.