Artists' Union England Gains Government Recognition
The UK government has officially recognized the Artists' Union England (AUE) as a trade union, marking a significant milestone for visual artists and craftspeople across the country. Founded in May 2013 by twelve creatives, including Angela Kennedy and Sally Sheinman, the AUE has grown to over 1,000 members. Its primary aim is to provide a collective voice for artists who previously lacked union support and to influence arts-related policies. This new status allows the union to operate independently under UK labor laws, sparking discussions about similar movements in Europe, particularly in Italy, where artists, critics, and curators currently lack a unified representative organization.
Key facts
- Artists' Union England (AUE) recognized as a trade union by the UK government.
- Founded in May 2013 by twelve artists and cultural workers.
- Union has over 1,000 members.
- Founding members include Angela Kennedy, Sally Sheinman, Katriona Beales, Theresa Easton, Chris Cudlip, Vanessa Maurice-Williams, Hayley Hare, Margareta Kern, Mary Vettise, Bridget Harvey, Donna Cheshire, and Linda Sgoluppi.
- AUE represents visual artists and craftspeople.
- Recognition allows the union to operate independently under UK labor law.
- The union aims to provide a collective voice and influence policy decisions.
- The news has sparked interest in similar movements in Europe, especially Italy.
Entities
Artists
- Angela Kennedy
- Sally Sheinman
- Katriona Beales
- Theresa Easton
- Chris Cudlip
- Vanessa Maurice-Williams
- Hayley Hare
- Margareta Kern
- Mary Vettise
- Bridget Harvey
- Donna Cheshire
- Linda Sgoluppi
Institutions
- Artists' Union England
- AICA
Locations
- England
- United Kingdom
- Italy
- Europe