Supporting artists

The music sector has become the latest creative industry to back the implementation of a Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA).

UK Music and its music industry workers have officially announced their support for the regulatory body, which would lead work in the creative industries to prevent and tackle workplace bullying and harassment.

In January, the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre announced their support, following in the footsteps of the film and TV sectors.

The CIISA is currently in the early stages of development. A detailed consultation with the creative industries is penned for later this year, with a view of going live in early 2024.

UK Music Chief Executive Jamie Njoku-Goodwin said the establishment of the CIISA is “very welcome”.

“It has a valuable role to play in helping protect those working in the creative sector and in supporting organisations to make their working environments as safe and inclusive as possible.
 
“The work of the new authority could be particularly valuable for the thousands of freelancers who account for around 70% of the music industry workforce.”

Plans to amend copyright law to allow artificial intelligence developers to exploit protected works without the permission of creators and rightsholders have been ditched by government.

During a debate in the House of Commons today Intellectual Property Minister George Freeman said he and DCMS Minister Julia Lopez felt that the proposals were not correct and that they would “not be proceeding" with them.

The changes of policy follows opposition to the proposals from the music industry.

“We are looking to stop them and to return to office to have a rather deeper conversation with the All Party Parliamentary Group who I met yesterday, with experts in both Houses and with the industry,” Freeman said.

Commenting on the announcement, Jamie Njoku-Goodwin, Chief Executive of UK Music, said: “UK Music warmly welcomes the minister’s decision to scrap plans for a catastrophic blanket copyright exception.

“The whole music industry has been united in its opposition to these proposals, which would have paved the way for music laundering and opened up our brilliant creators and rights holders to gross exploitation.

“We are delighted to see the back of a policy that risked irreparable damage to the global success story that is the UK music industry."

A low-cost counselling service for people working in the arts sector has been launched by non-profit organisation Wellbeing in the Arts.

The service offers to connect individuals working in the sector with a range of more than 150 registered counsellors across the UK with knowledge of the challenges that come with working in the arts, with session costs starting from £15.

“There has long been a huge demand in the arts for affordable mental health support, which we can now provide,” said Adam Bambrough, Founder and Chief Executive of Wellbeing in the Arts.

“The fact that we have had over 350 people come forward to use our service within 72 hours shows just how much need there is.”

The service is also open to employers, who can sign up to help their staff and freelancers access mental health support by subsidising the costs of sessions, with contributions starting from £2.50 per person.

Employers can access additional benefits including site visits and mental health and wellbeing packs for eligible employees, as well as help with funding applications and joint marketing campaigns.

“For a small amount, an employer – be it a large organisation, small company, independent producer, or agent – can help their staff, including freelancers, to access the support they need and show that they care about the mental health and wellbeing of their team, which will inevitably lead to better outcomes for everyone,” Bambrough said.

Support offered by the organisation is 100% confidential, he added, meaning that employers will not be informed if staff and freelancers register for counselling sessions. 

A former church in Gateshead is set to become a community and arts hub after restoration plans secured funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Gateway Studio, a dance and related arts charity, has received £1.4m in funding. The money will be used to acquire and restore the Trinity Centre, a Grade I-listed former church located on Gateshead High Street, one of town’s oldest sites.

Plans for the development of the building include the creation of studio perfromance space for open mic nights, acoustic sets and art exhibitions to showcase local talent, as well as office accommodation and a café.

Renovations are scheduled to be completed by September 2024.

“Dance and the arts are powerful tools in transforming individuals and communities,” Martin Hylton, Founder and Chief Executive of Gateway Studio, told the BBC.

“This new development will not only put Gateshead firmly on the map, in terms of developing and supporting professional artists, but will also help to transform the local community.”

Angela Douglas, Gateshead Council's Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Leisure, said the new arts space was “an exciting and ambitious project”.

“As one of our only dedicated dance spaces in the borough, I'm sure the regeneration of the Trinity Centre will unlock their full potential,” she said.