The
Mafia in George Square Glasgow seem to be determined to turn Glasgow
into a cultural wilderness. Their latest venture to extract more
money from its hard pressed citizens will most certainly put an end
to a whole host of small events. The only way groups and individuals
will be able to carry the cost of this new tax, will be to pass it onto the public.
I'm not talking about the big multi-million celebrities affairs, they
already rip us off. It is more the DIY events, the small gigs to
raise funds, the small independent exhibition to introduce an artists
work, the community event to help the community, free or chargeable,
it will be hit by this added tax.
http://www.change.org/petitions/the-scottish-government-scrap-public-entertainment-licence-fees?utm_medium=facebook
Why
This Is Important.
The
implementation of hefty fees to obtain a Public Entertainment Licence
for exhibitions and events—including those to be held free of
charge—is practically extortion and will cripple grass-roots art
and culture in Glasgow. Small, independent venues such as coffee
shops who support artists and performers by hosting free events will
not be able to sustain the fees announced.
It is a tax on arts
and entertainment. Glasgow City Council must urgently review this and
scrap the proposed fees.
Council briefing
note:
Proposed fees:
Press coverage:
The Bigger Picture
This petition
is a response to Glasgow City Council's announcement that from 1
April 2012, a licence will be required to hold free events such as
exhibitions and performances. Previously a licence was only required
for events charging admission. We, the undersigned, believe this
change will be damaging to the foundations of Glasgow's art community
and wish to have the changes repealed.
Visual art
thrives in Glasgow. The Arts and Humanities Research Council have
recently awarded £122,500 to the Glasgow School of Art for the
express purpose of studying the phenomenon known as the "Glasgow
Miracle" - the overwhelming success of art in Glasgow. (BBC News
2012) For many artists, gallerists, and enthusiasts the explanation
of this success is simple: art in Glasgow is driven by a core
community of hard-working, early- to mid-career artists with a strong
do-it-yourself ethos. Artists in Glasgow take empty warehouses,
factories, shops, offices and transform them into vibrant, productive
spaces. Locations such as IRONBBRATZ Studios, based in a former
Merchant City office, demonstrate Glasgow's resourcefulness in
utilising unconventional spaces to host events featuring both local
and international talent. To require artist-led initiatives such as
these to apply for licences to host free events would exhaust small
budgets.
The
application fee for a Public Entertainment Licence is costly - based
on the previous year's figures the licences range from £120 to
£7500. It is also a lengthy process, requiring months of notice to
the Council and 21 days of public notice via signage posted on
location. Artist collective The Mutual, for example, do not have
permanent premises and rather host exhibitions in a variety of
venues, each of which would require licensing under the amended law.
It would almost certainly bring a close to the "pop up"
exhibition in Glasgow - the use of empty shops between leases as
temporary exhibition spaces. The months of planning required to apply
for a Public Entertainment Licence would undermine the spontaneity
and flexibility required of such events and organizations.
Glasgow's
art community has produced a number of exceptional talents, and
notably the last three Turner Prizes have been awarded to artists
with connections to the city. Events such as the Glasgow
International and Merchant City Festival coordinate programming
throughout a variety of small venues to create weeks of attractions,
generating both cultural interest and valuable tourism. Inspired by a
long local history of exhibitions in temporary venues, the Glasgow
International in particular has been so successful as to serve as a
model for similar events in other cities and countries. This kind of
success is built upon a strong foundation of artist-led initiatives
and independent exhibitions which will be undoubtedly stifled under
the new regulations.
This
legislation will impact sectors beyond the visual arts; community
organizations, clubs and activity groups, students, charities and
performers of all types will feel the restrictions imposed by this
licensing change. It will also have a direct impact on local shops,
landlords, restaurants, pubs and tourism. The arts in Glasgow
generate a substantial economy for local business owners, without
which many would suffer.
Requiring all
public events, regardless of size or entry charge, to register for
licensing allows the city council to determine what events it deems
suitable for public audiences. It jeopardizes not only visual arts in
Glasgow but also freedoms of expression and assembly. The changes to
public entertainment licensing cannot as they stand be allowed to
come into effect. We demand these changes be reassessed with careful
consideration of the cultural and financial impact they will have on
Glasgow as a whole.
