News and events

Earning half the minimum wage: new report reveals pressures on artists to sustain creative life

Margaret Heffernan, DACS Chair, spoke to The Conversation on the recent artists' earnings report, highlighting the support artists need in the face of new emerging technologies to continue to create and thrive.

• 16 December 2024

DACS responds to UK Government’s industrial strategy

DACS submitted two responses to the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy consultation, highlighting the barriers to growth faced by visual artists within the creative industries sector and proposing solutions to help grow the sector.

• 2 December 2024

The Smart Fund raised in House of Lords debate as potential additional income stream for creators

The Smart Fund proposal was highlighted today in a short debate in the House of Lords on the Impact of the Budget on arts, heritage and cultural organisations.

• 14 November 2024

Government responds to Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee report on ‘Creator Remuneration’

The Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee has published the UK Government’s response to the recommendations made in the Creator Remuneration report earlier this year.

• 4 November 2024

Welcome to a new era: Supporting the UK's Visual Artists

As the UK welcomes the new Labour Government, DACS’ CEO Christian Zimmermann discusses how the UK’s visual artists can be better supported.

• 5 July 2024

General Election 2024 Manifestos Roundup

Here's a round up the key Manifesto pledges from the 7 largest parties, that are likely to have an impact on visual artists, the wider visual arts sector, and the Creative Industries as a whole.

• 21 June 2024

3 ways a new Government can support the UK’s visual artists

As the General Election approaches, DACS lays out 3 key policy asks for the next UK Government.

• 20 June 2024

CVAN and DACS convene Visual Arts roundtable with Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Thangam Debbonaire MP

We were joined by the Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Thangam Debbonaire MP and a broad range of organisations representing the interests of visual artists and the wider visual arts sector.

• 17 May 2024

On World IP Day, it’s time the UK caught up with paying its artists fairly

Artist Adele Morse talks about her experience of copyright infringement and her hopes about the future of artists' rights.

• 26 April 2024

Culture, Media and Sport Committee chair visits DACS artists at Arts Space, Portsmouth

CMS Committee Chair meets artists, as a pivotal new report on creator remuneration is published

• 12 April 2024

Culture, Media and Sport committee recommends implementation of Smart Fund to support UK creators

The Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Select Committee has published a report calling for better support and compensation for creators, through a statutory scheme to pay them for their copyright, and the establishment of new support mechanisms for freelancers.

• 10 April 2024

DACS provides a briefing for a House of Lords debate on risks faced by the creative industries

DACS provided a briefing to attendees of a House of Lords debate on Friday 7th July on the importance of the creative industries.

• 7 July 2023