The Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) has called for the government to allow musicians to continue to have freedom of movement after Brexit next spring.
The professional body for UK musicians has published a report that reveals the concerns of 1,625 performers about the UK’s exit from the European Union.
Last week a House Of Lords committee proposed solutions for the UK cultural sector and touring artists to prevent Brexit damaging growth.
The ISM study reveals than more than 40% of musicians have noticed an impact on their work as a result of Brexit. The report shows that 39% of musicians travel to the EU more than five times a year, with 12% making the trip more than 20 times.
With musicians facing the prospect of securing visas to work within the EU, the report noted that more than a third of those questioned had previously experienced problems with visas for performances outside the bloc. For 5% of respondents, costs for visas topped £1,000 a year; 15% reported losing a job opportunity because of problems with paperwork.
Deborah Annetts, chief executive of the ISM and founder of the cross-arts FreeMoveCreate campaign, said: “The Government is making all the right noises at the moment and the EU White Paper recognised the importance of mobility for professional musicians and creatives who make up our £92 billion a year creative industries.
“However, at a time of great uncertainty, musicians need to know their jobs in Europe will be secure once Britain leaves the EU. Given how much of musicians’ work and income is dependent on travel to the EU27, and given the importance of cultural exchange in the arts, we are urging the UK Government and EU to reach an agreement on mobility for musicians and other artists post-Brexit as soon as possible.”
The campaign is seeking a transitional and permanent relationship between the UK and EU to ensure that musicians, directors, technicians, designers, artists, dancers, sound engineers, actors and all the creative industries professionals can continue to travel to the EU for work.
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