Culture Minister Ian Murray has said there is “very much a will” within government to “try and find a way” to remove the barriers involved with touring the EU and the UK.
Speaking at the inaugural event of the Cultural Exchange Coalition (CEC) in Brussels on 24 March, Murray promised the government’s “full commitment” to tearing down obstacles facing artists touring internationally.
The CEC, which launched in December last year, is a coalition of people and organisations from the UK and Europe (EU) that create, support and sustain culture and creativity.
Created to support and promote the shared benefits of cross-border cultural collaboration, its members include the Independent Society of Musicians (ISM), SOLT and UK Theatre, One Dance UK and the European Music Exporters Exchange.
In a speech, Murray acknowledged how difficult international touring had become and said: “There is a real political will both from the UK side and from the EU side to try and find some solutions to this because we have heard this is not just a UK issue, this is a European-wide issue.
“There’s very much a will to try and find a way through this – and to do it as quickly as we possibly can.”
He noted additional costs have “become prohibitive”, adding: “Cultural exchange is hugely important not only for us to tell our own stories but also tell each other’s stories, to learn from each other.
“If we lose that, we’ll be much diminished particularly with the geopolitical situation at the moment.”
Artists and audiences are ‘missing out’
The CEC is supported by stars including pianist and presenter Jools Holland, Level 42 bassist Mark King and Scottish percussionist Evelyn Glennie.
Baroness Bull, member of the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, also attended, saying: “There is now clear evidence that the failure to include provision for touring artists and crews in the post-Brexit arrangements means artists and audiences across the entirety of Europe are missing out: not just on the cultural, social and economic benefits of intercontinental touring, but also the artistic and technical innovations that arise from cultural exchange.”
She said she hoped the “new tone of optimism” present at the CEC’s first meeting would “translate into the action so urgently required – for this generation of artists and for the talent of the future”.
Chief executive of UK Music Tom Kiehl also urged the government and EU Commission to build on the “positive moment” and strengthen the Common Understanding on cultural exchange and touring artists.
Sector leaders told a recent Culture, Media and Sport committee State of Play hearing the difficulties of post-Brexit touring risk damaging the UK’s cultural soft power.
Head of policy and public affairs at actors’ union Equity Tom Peters said working-class performers were being particularly affected by the red tape now required to tour.