Artists are not well off. They earn an average of €18,000 a year, they face job and income insecurity, they are often not insured against disability and have difficulty finding an affordable place to live and work. This is why we see artists organising themselves in solidarity organisations to work together to improve their social position. How do artists organise themselves? What effect does it have? And does this fit into the tradition of workers’ movements in general? During this Studio Talk, we take the audience through a historical lecture on art trade unions (in English). This will be followed by a debate between professional organisations for visual artists and the audience on the world of art politics then and now. This Studio Talk takes place in the context of the exhibition From Left to Right at Museum Arnhem, about political polarisation in art in the 1930s.

Program

14:00 – Introduction by Jelle Bouwhuis, curator of Museum Arnhem
14:10 – Lecture ‘Social Art Unions’ by Mia van den Bos
14:40 – Panel discussion: The social vision of artists’ organisations. With Peter van den Bunder (Kunstenbond), Henk Hofstra (Beroeps Organisatie Kunstenaars), Sepp Eckenhaussen (Platform BK) and Marlies Leupen(moderator). Arnhem-based arts organisations POST and Plaatsmaken will participate in the discussion as respondents.(partly in Dutch)
15:30 – Drinks

Sign up

This programme is free of charge. Sign up here
Registration is necessary due to preparation and catering.

Time and Location

‘Studio Talk: Artists in the political arena’ will take place at Museum Arnhem on Saturday 19 November from 14:00 to 16:30. The exhibition From Left to Right can be visited prior to the program.

Organisation

‘Studio Talk: Artists in the political arena’ is organised by Museum Arnhem and Platform BK. Museum Arnhem places art at the heart of society, by offering engaged perspectives. Platform BK investigates the role of art in society and campaigns for a better art policy. We work for a better appreciation of the visual arts and a stronger position of everyone working within the sector.