Culture Minister Ian Murray has said there is \u201cvery much a will\u201d within government to \u201ctry and find a way\u201d to remove the barriers involved with touring the EU and the UK.<\/p>\n
Speaking at the inaugural event of the Cultural Exchange Coalition (CEC) in Brussels on 24 March, Murray promised the government\u2019s \u201cfull commitment\u201d to tearing down obstacles facing artists touring internationally.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
In a speech, Murray acknowledged how difficult international touring had become and said: \u201cThere 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s very much a will to try and find a way through this \u2013 and to do it as quickly as we possibly can.\u201d<\/p>\n
He noted additional costs have \u201cbecome prohibitive\u201d, adding: \u201cCultural exchange is hugely important not only for us to tell our own stories but also tell each other\u2019s stories, to learn from each other. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf we lose that, we\u2019ll be much diminished particularly with the geopolitical situation at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Artists and audiences are \u2018missing out\u2019<\/p>\n
The CEC is supported by stars including pianist and presenter Jools Holland, Level 42 bassist Mark King and Scottish percussionist Evelyn Glennie.<\/p>\n
Baroness Bull, member of the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, also attended, saying: \u201cThere 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.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She said she hoped the \u201cnew tone of optimism\u201d present at the CEC\u2019s first meeting would \u201ctranslate into the action so urgently required \u2013 for this generation of artists and for the talent of the future\u201d.<\/p>\n
Chief executive of UK Music Tom Kiehl also urged the government and EU Commission to build on the \u201cpositive moment\u201d and strengthen the Common Understanding on cultural exchange and touring artists.<\/p>\n