TUC Backs Union Call for Increased Arts Funding as Part of Plans for Economic Growth

MU Executive Committee member Matthew Whiteside spoke on behalf of the MU at TUC Congress 2024 to highlight the importance of the UK’s arts and culture sector.

The motion tackles arts education, arts and culture funding bodies, and the low/no pay culture in the UK’s arts sector.

We need a government that truly recognises the arts

Moving the motion, Matthew Whiteside said: “The UK's cultural sector has long been the envy of the world; orchestras, opera houses and ballet companies, art galleries, theatres and community arts projects.

“We have a rich and varied tradition of artistic excellence, engagement and export, but today, these institutions are struggling.

“What we need is a government that recognises the arts not as an afterthought, but a vital part of our nation's fabric, profile and reputation,” he added.

Matthew also highlighted the union’s ongoing campaigns at Northern Ballet and Welsh National Opera: “They are highly trained and skilled workers, and they deserve the same respect and protection as any other worker, and yet for too long, their contribution to our economy has been overlooked.”

Creative work is work

The motion, seconded by Artists Union England, also calls on the TUC General Council to lobby government to:

• Restore arts education in the curriculum and end the so-called “Arts Apocalypse”
• Increase transparency and diversity of appointments to Arts Council England and other cultural bodies
• Recognise that creative work is work and take action to end the low/no pay culture in the arts sector.

It comes after people from across the trade union movement backed a motion calling for a renegotiation of the EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement earlier in the week.

The UK’s arts and culture sector is facing a perfect storm

Funding cuts, rising touring costs, energy costs, the ongoing impact of pandemic closures and the cost of living crisis are threatening the future of the UK’s world-renowned orchestras.

As a result of arts funding cuts:

• Musicians in the Northern Ballet Sinfonia are campaigning to restore their touring work and keep Northern Ballet music live
• Musicians in the Welsh National Opera orchestra are fighting to keep WNO as a full-time company and stop the proposed 15% pay cut.

This is a UK-wide problem. Members in Scotland successfully challenged cuts to Creative Scotland that put essential funding programmes at risk, however the overall arts funding crisis there is ongoing.

Learn more and stay up to date with campaigns at Northern Ballet and Welsh National Opera in our arts funding campaign hub.