Scottish Artists Union
Encyclopedia
The Scottish Artists Union is the representative voice for visual and applied artists in Scotland.
of the 21st century. This was pre-dated by roughly five years of research and development on the part of a large group of artists who felt that the creation of such a union was vital. Artists across the country registered their support for the idea, giving the first Executive Committee a mandate to draw up a constitution, set membership fees and criteria.
Setting up a trade union for some of the most poorly paid workers in the country has been a delicate matter. Virtually any membership fee requested would, for at least some artists, be too much to ask. However we have always endeavoured to ensure that in material terms the benefits offered to members (in terms of discounts, etc.) more than compensate them for their annual fees.
One of the recurring priorities for the SAU has been fair rates of pay for visual artists doing workshops and other such activities. The SAU produced a statement on Recommended Rates of Pay in 2002 and this was endorsed by the Scottish Arts Council. The SAU is currently seeking legal advice on the issue in relation to Competition Law in order to update and continue campaign on this issue.
The SAU continues to campaign for appropriate contracts across all areas of visual artists practice including for workshops, as well as with galleries exhibiting work, and commissioners.
In 2006-07 the SAU was able to secure a deal for Public Liability Insurance
for the membership, following 2-3 years research by Chris Biddlecombe, a founding member of the Executive. This was a priority because increasingly members were describing Public Liability Insurance being a requirement for working for Local Authorities, Open Studio Events and other aspects of trading as a visual artist.
The SAU has attempted to establish as wide a remit as possible from the very beginning. There is virtually no discipline within visual arts
and applied arts that does not qualify for membership, and it’s likely that other existing unions will better serve those that do fall outside our remit. The criteria on which membership is predicated are designed simply to ensure that our membership is made up of professionals, but we do not concern ourselves with the substance of our members work. While we of course greatly appreciate art itself, we put artists and their working lives first.
To become a Member the applicant must be resident or working as a visual or applied artist regularly in Scotland.
To become a Full Member a visual or applied artist must meet any four of the following. Associate Members must meet any two criteria:
To apply for membership please visit the Scottish Artists Union website.
History
The Scottish Artists Union (SAU) was formally constituted in 2001, becoming the first new trade unionTrade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
of the 21st century. This was pre-dated by roughly five years of research and development on the part of a large group of artists who felt that the creation of such a union was vital. Artists across the country registered their support for the idea, giving the first Executive Committee a mandate to draw up a constitution, set membership fees and criteria.
Setting up a trade union for some of the most poorly paid workers in the country has been a delicate matter. Virtually any membership fee requested would, for at least some artists, be too much to ask. However we have always endeavoured to ensure that in material terms the benefits offered to members (in terms of discounts, etc.) more than compensate them for their annual fees.
One of the recurring priorities for the SAU has been fair rates of pay for visual artists doing workshops and other such activities. The SAU produced a statement on Recommended Rates of Pay in 2002 and this was endorsed by the Scottish Arts Council. The SAU is currently seeking legal advice on the issue in relation to Competition Law in order to update and continue campaign on this issue.
The SAU continues to campaign for appropriate contracts across all areas of visual artists practice including for workshops, as well as with galleries exhibiting work, and commissioners.
In 2006-07 the SAU was able to secure a deal for Public Liability Insurance
Liability insurance
Liability insurance is a part of the general insurance system of risk financing to protect the purchaser from the risks of liabilities imposed by lawsuits and similar claims. It protects the insured in the event he or she is sued for claims that come within the coverage of the insurance policy...
for the membership, following 2-3 years research by Chris Biddlecombe, a founding member of the Executive. This was a priority because increasingly members were describing Public Liability Insurance being a requirement for working for Local Authorities, Open Studio Events and other aspects of trading as a visual artist.
The SAU has attempted to establish as wide a remit as possible from the very beginning. There is virtually no discipline within visual arts
Visual arts
The visual arts are art forms that create works which are primarily visual in nature, such as ceramics, drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, design, crafts, and often modern visual arts and architecture...
and applied arts that does not qualify for membership, and it’s likely that other existing unions will better serve those that do fall outside our remit. The criteria on which membership is predicated are designed simply to ensure that our membership is made up of professionals, but we do not concern ourselves with the substance of our members work. While we of course greatly appreciate art itself, we put artists and their working lives first.
Membership Criteria
As a trade union, the Scottish Artists Union is obliged to maintain a wholly professional membership. It is therefore necessary to set criteria. Please note however that no one criterion is intended to have more “value” than another.To become a Member the applicant must be resident or working as a visual or applied artist regularly in Scotland.
To become a Full Member a visual or applied artist must meet any four of the following. Associate Members must meet any two criteria:
- Received one or more public body or corporate commissions or four or more private commissions.
- Had two or more public exhibitions and/or public installations and or public performances, not including a degree show.
- Received one or more prizes, awards or bursaries for professional practice.
- Hold a degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant area.
- Engaged by contractual agreement in an artist’s placement scheme (e.g. a residency).
- Work has been purchased for one or more public collections, or four or more private collections.
- Work has been made available for sale through one or more commercial galleries or agents within the last five years.
- Have obtained membership of one or more professional associations or societies.
- Artwork has been reviewed or featured in an art journal, magazine or newspaper.
To apply for membership please visit the Scottish Artists Union website.
List of Presidents
- Guyan Porter (founding President) 2001-2004
- Su Grierson 2004-2006
- Terry Anderson 2006-2009
- Chris Biddlecombe 2009- (current)