GFTU BGCM Minutes 2017

the art school wanting to be the next Damien Hirst and you stand on everybody

to get there, so we are looking at different models of work and there are loads

of different ways of working out there, but artists do need politicising. They

need to know about their labour histories, they need to know the gains that we

have made, the losses that we have made. It is really important that they

understand that, because then they have got the confidence to challenge. They

can see artists on the exec going out there challenging. I do exactly what our

members do. I am going for bids. I am going for projects, commissions. I write

applications. So when they say that that gives them confidence to do the

same, they email me or text or whatever and tell me about bad opportunities so

then we can take that argument forward.

But this is where the GFTU comes in, because not only do they have the

wealth of experience of tapping into those people, those academics with the

knowledge, but they do it creatively and that is really important for our

members, because they learn in such a diverse way and that is fundamental.

We need to understand our role in the trade union movement. Artists need to

understand we are now part of that trade union family, it is really important.

MOTION 1 – 1% FOR ART

SIS THERESA EASTON (Artists’ Union England) moved the following motion:

1

Artists’ Union England propose that this conference agree that 1

percent of any new-build construction, renovation, conversion or major

refurbishment by an affiliate member be spent on buying or commissioning

public art.

2

The GFTU’s recent commitment to purchase artwork for Quorn Grange

Hotel is an example of support and solidarity with creative workers. ‘Percent

for Art’ is an established scheme in USA and Europe, endorsed by local and

national public bodies. The UK does not have a ‘percent for art’ scheme -

although some regional and municipal bodies have developed something

similar. The GFTU would be paving the way forward in establishing a

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