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Artists' Union England

@artistsunioneng.bsky.social

An independent union fighting for fair pay, good working conditions and sustainable futures for visual and socially engaged artists. Join for just £48 per year.

233 Followers  |  16 Following  |  209 Posts  |  Joined: 16.12.2024
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Posts by Artists' Union England (@artistsunioneng.bsky.social)

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TOGETHER we can reject narratives of division and racism. TOGETHER we can build solidarity across communities. TOGETHER we can unite against the far right.

Park Lane, Central London
28th March
12pm
Nearest tube station: Hyde Park Corner

Let's do this.

#artistsunionengland #togetheralliance

03.03.2026 17:02 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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artists_union_england | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree An independent union fighting for fair pay and good work for artists in England.

3) Maintaining the expectation of ‘trickle-down funding’ for artists and the instrumentalisation of artists’ work
4) Local political influence on decision-making and the effects on cultural democracy

To read our response in full, head here: tr.ee/5qqKjrZpie.
#artistsunionengland #artscouncilengland

02.03.2026 13:40 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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artists_union_england | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree An independent union fighting for fair pay and good work for artists in England.

As the union for artists in England, however, our reading of the report gives rise to the following four main material and political concerns:

1) Repression of artistic freedom and undermining the right to boycott
2) Making public funding increasingly dependent on private philanthropy

02.03.2026 13:40 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
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Baroness Hodge recently completed a review of Arts Council England on behalf of the government.

Artists’ Union England welcomes the renewed commitment to public arts funding and the recommendation to strengthen the arms length principle.

02.03.2026 13:40 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 1

At less than the cost of an overpriced coffee, we think that’s a pretty good deal.

Sign up at artistsunionengland.org.uk today.

#artistsunionengland #unionsubs #solidarity #unionstrong

27.02.2026 10:01 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Did you know you can pay your union subs monthly?

For just £4 a month you’ll have access to the support of our dedicated caseworker whenever issues at work arise, access to 30mins of free legal advice, and automatically get £5m Public and Products Liability Insurance.

27.02.2026 10:01 — 👍 1    🔁 1    💬 1    📌 0
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CI Sector Survey Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

Email info@artistsunionengland.org.uk if you have any questions or you require support.

Find the survey here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/KNSJJB5?fb...

16.02.2026 17:00 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

We encourage our members to take part so artists’ voices are represented and at the centre of the conversation as AI advances.

Duration: 10 minutes
Deadline: 22nd February 2026

16.02.2026 17:00 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
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AI is already shifting how art is made and valued - and this is your chance to have a say.

DCMS has commissioned Alma Economics to conduct new research on AI’s impact on the creative industries in the UK and they want to hear directly from artists, creators, freelancers.

16.02.2026 17:00 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0

Don’t wait until a problem becomes a crisis. Join AUE now for just £4 a month, and know we’ll be in your corner whenever you need us.

artistsunionengland.org.uk

#artistsunionengland #solidarity #fairpay #unionstrong

13.02.2026 10:01 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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As HeartUnions Week draws to a close, we wanted to share why we think joining a union is vital for artists.

Standing up to a large organisation on your own can feel overwhelming and isolating. But as one of 2,300 AUE members, you’re never alone - you have strength in solidarity.

13.02.2026 10:01 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0

We urge the government to increase funding for the cultural sector, with direct support for individual artists, freelancers, and the self-employed.

Investing in artists is investing in a thriving society.

#artistsunionengland #artworkiswork #artistsareworkers #solidarity #fairpay #unionstrong

06.02.2026 10:01 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

Current trickle-down models aren’t working. Artists need accessible, direct funding and a coordinated national approach that recognises the value of creative work. Ring-fenced arts funding and increased regional investment are essential.

06.02.2026 10:01 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
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Artists and creative workers are facing immense pressure and financial precarity, yet they continue to enrich communities, drive local growth, and sustain the country’s cultural fabric.

06.02.2026 10:01 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0


We therefore support calls for socioeconomic background to become a protected characteristic.

Class discrimination is not an abstract concept. It is a lived experience. It does economic harm. And it must end.

Read our full statement at artistsunionengland.org.uk.

#artistsunionengland #solidarity

06.02.2026 10:00 — 👍 1    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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We are not surprised by the findings of the Class Ceiling report - but we are angered by them.

Treating class as a secondary issue has allowed it to persist unchecked for generations. Class is a core inclusion issue and until it is treated as such, the arts will remain unequal and unrepresentative.

06.02.2026 10:00 — 👍 1    🔁 1    💬 1    📌 0
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This LGBT+ History Month we pay tribute to those who came before, who achieved against the odds, and on whose shoulders we stand today.

Head to the link in our bio to read the full message from our Co-Chair, Zita Holbourne.

#artistsunionengland #lgbthistorymonth #lgbt #solidarity #equality

01.02.2026 11:00 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Artists' Union England England’s trade union for visual, applied and socially engaged artists

Join AUE at artistsunionengland.org.uk for just £4 a month, and know we’ll be in your corner whenever you need us.

#artistsunionengland #solidarity #fairpay #unionstrong

30.01.2026 10:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Artists' Union England England’s trade union for visual, applied and socially engaged artists

When you join Artists’ Union England, you gain access to experienced caseworkers who will support you in defending your rights to fair pay, respect, and good working conditions.

Don’t wait until a problem becomes a crisis.

30.01.2026 10:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
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Standing up to a large organisation on your own can feel overwhelming and isolating. But as one of 2,300 union members, you’re never alone - you have strength in solidarity.

30.01.2026 10:00 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
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Artists' Union England England’s trade union for visual, applied and socially engaged artists

Head to artistsunionengland.org.uk for free tax advice, and join AUE for just £4 a month to access the full members’ tax guide.

#artistsunionengland #taxreturn #taxsavings #solidarity

22.01.2026 17:04 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Artists' Union England England’s trade union for visual, applied and socially engaged artists

If you’ve spent money on these to keep your business running, you should declare them on your self-assessment tax return. Claiming expenses like these lowers your taxable income, meaning you pay less tax.

22.01.2026 17:04 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
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Paints, canvases, protective clothing, travel, accommodation, studio rent, storage, website costs, advertising, public liability insurance - these are just some of the allowable business expenses that can reduce your tax bill.

22.01.2026 17:04 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0


With thanks to @wearethemu and HW Fisher UK Chartered Accountants for their expertise in creating our members’ tax guide.

#artistsunionengland #taxreturn #selfassessment #unionstrong

15.01.2026 17:04 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Artists' Union England England’s trade union for visual, applied and socially engaged artists


AUE members also get access to our full tax guide, with in-depth advice on reducing your tax bill and checking your return is completed correctly.

Access our free tax advice and join AUE to unlock the full tax guide here: www.artistsunionengland.org.uk

15.01.2026 17:04 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
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The self-assessment tax deadline is 31 January 2026 - and we’re here to help.

We have free resources to help you navigate the UK tax system, including guidance on:
- Registering for self-employment
- How much tax you pay as a self-employed worker
- Allowable expenses for artists

15.01.2026 17:04 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0

If payment is still delayed, AUE members can contact us and we can approach the employer directly to ask why payment has not been made on time.

Join AUE for just £4 a month and have us in your corner. Link in bio!

#artistsunionengland #solidarity #fairpay #unionstrong

12.01.2026 17:03 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

We also recommend adding the following line to all invoices:
“Payment of this invoice is due within 30 days. Please be advised that statutory late fees will apply to any overdue payment.”

12.01.2026 17:03 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
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Invoice overdue? You have the legal right to charge a late payment fee.

Under UK law, businesses can charge statutory interest on late payments at 8% plus the Bank of England base rate for business-to-business transactions.

12.01.2026 17:03 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
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We. Call. Bullshit.

Artists and art workers are carrying the cost of mismanagement while institutions protect directors, donors, and models of culture that serve private interests.

Tate’s leadership chooses this model. It does not have to be this way.

#artistsunionengland #tateonstrike

12.12.2025 10:03 — 👍 2    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0