Motion 64
A Music Export Office for Scotland
“That this Congress notes that musicians and music workers face onerous barriers to work in the EU since Brexit. Musicians touring to Europe face challenges of dealing with visas and work permits, carnets to bring their equipment with them, customs forms for merchandise and cabotage rules which severely limit the number of stops that can be made during a tour.
“All of these layers of bureaucracy add cost and time to the touring process, with young and emerging artists and bands particularly impacted if they don’t have a label or management company to support them with the costs and the technicalities.
“Research by UK Music found 82% of musicians impacted by Brexit said their earnings had decreased, 65% received fewer invitations to perform in the EU and 57% said it was not possible for them to take up invitations because of increased costs.
“Congress calls on the General Council to lobby the Scottish Government to:
- establish and fund a Music Export Office for Scotland to provide systematic support for music exports, targeted at independent musicians and small and medium sized Scottish music companies to help build their international audiences;
- ensure such a Music Export Office for Scotland has the requisite expertise and capacity to support musicians and music workers in compliance with legal requirements, logistics and strategy for developing an international audience;
- create a dedicated fund to support musicians touring to the EU with associated costs including carnets as they build their careers in new markets;
- recognise that musicians are ambassadors for Scotland around the world, and that investment in their success is an investment in the profile and reputation of Scotland; and
- lobby Westminster to secure a Cultural Touring Agreement and Cultural Visa Waiver.”
Mover: Musicians’ Union
RSS