Writer’s APPG reception and House of Lords visit amongst DACS' advocacy work this week
This week, DACS has been active in and around Parliament, championing the rights of visual artists and ensuring their voices are heard amongst policymakers and important industry professionals.
Engaging with writers and cross-sector partners
On Tuesday, we were pleased to attend the APPG for Writers’ Winter Reception, hosted by Chris Evans MP. The event brought together authors, policymakers, and sector organisations to discuss recent developments around AI, copyright, and the introduction of the Freelance Champion announced by the government earlier this year.
While the event focused on writers, much of the discussion resonated strongly with the issues facing visual artists. The conversations around AI’s impact on creative work and the need for better protections and representation for freelancers align closely with DACS’ priorities. As we continue our work on AI policy, it is crucial that the visual arts community is not left behind in cross-sector debates about rights, remuneration, and the future of creative labour.
Highlighting the importance of social mobility in the arts
On Wednesday, DACS returned to the House of Lords to meet with the Earl of Clancarty to discuss ongoing work in the APPG for Visual Arts and Artists, including shared priorities around fair remuneration, sustainability and opportunities for less-established artists.
Following the meeting, DACS were glad to be present in the chamber to hear the Earl of Clancarty ask a key question: How can the government improve social mobility for careers in the arts and creative industries? This issue sits at the heart of much of the policy and campaigning work of the APPG for Visual Arts and Artist and links significantly to the report the presented by UAL and Artquest during their last meeting.
Advocacy as an essential part of our mission
These engagements across Parliament reflect a crucial part of DACS’ work: advocating for the rights and livelihoods of visual artists. Our advocacy work is a vital part of what we do as an organisation - as the landscape around copyright, AI, and the creative industries continues to evolve, it’s essential that artists are represented in these conversations. DACS will keep pushing for fairness, transparency and recognition for the artists whose work fuels our culture and economy.
