Visiting Artists and Academics

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The UK Home Office has introduced new bureaucratic procedures for organisations that wish to invite non-EU artists and academics to the UK. As professionals committed to the principles of internationalism and cultural exchange, we are dismayed by these new regulations - which will curb our invitations to non-EU artists and academics to visit the UK for talks, artist residencies, conferences and temporary exhibitions.

The system is costly to both the host organisation and to the visitor, and has already meant a number of cancelled exhibitions and concerts. All non-EU visitors now must apply for a visa in person, and supply biometric data, electronic fingerprint scans and a digital photograph. The Home Offices 158-page guideline document also outlines new controls over visitors day-to-day activity: visitors must show that they have at least 800 pounds of personal savings, which have been held for at least three months prior to the date of their application; the host organisation must keep copies of the visitors passport and their UK Biometric Card, and a history of their contact details; and if the visitor does not turn up to their studio or place of work, or their whereabouts is unknown, the organisation is legally obliged to inform the UK Border Agency.

We, the undersigned, believe that these Home Office restrictions discriminate against our overseas colleagues on the grounds of their nationality and financial resources, and will be particularly detrimental to artists from developing countries, and those with low income. Such restrictions will damage the vital contribution made by global artists and scholars to cultural, intellectual and civic life in the UK.

10831 Signatures

  • Tacita D
    • Title/position
    • Artist
  • Sarah R
    • Title/position
    • Artist and University Professor
    • Comments
    • В
  • Sal S
    • Comments
    • I am deeply concerned
  • Brian S
  • Elisabetta F
    • Title/position
    • BFI Head of Exhibitions
  • Kate S
    • Title/position
    • The Showroom
  • Rebecca May M
    • Title/position
    • Director, Limoncello Gallery, London
  • Piccia N
  • Jan B
    • Title/position
    • illustrator
  • Martyn Richard C
    • Title/position
    • RCA Curating
    • Comments
    • В
  • Rose C
    • Title/position
    • Teaching Assistant
    • Comments
    • This type of policy would prevent many culturally valuable exchanges. Artists often travel with low budgets, and may not be able to provide financial security. I have personal experience in this area and I believe that this policy would have an impact of the prevention of casual or small scale cultural exchange in the form of low budget music tours, or academics lecturing to small audiences.
  • H. Adrian B
    • Title/position
    • В
    • Comments
    • В
  • P.A.Absolon
    • Title/position
    • Mr
    • Comments
    • For Freedom of Expression
  • Lee A
    • Title/position
    • Artist/Curator
  • Claire H
    • Title/position
    • Artist
  • Samantha G
    • Title/position
    • Student
  • Stuart E
    • Title/position
    • Lecturer/artist
    • Comments
    • I have visited Britain several times and have been very moved by the generosity of spirit and cooperation and highly valued the opportunities thus offered, from one member of an artist community to another. We - myself and a few colleagues - and British artists worked quite hard to establish bonds and links between our two communities and nations. One cannot see how this legislation will not fatally compromise the depth and quality of this form of exchange.
  • John M
    • Title/position
    • Dr
  • Andrea P
    • Title/position
    • Musician
  • Marco Balvin O
  • Laureana T
    • Title/position
    • Artist
  • Mitra M
    • Title/position
    • Dr. of arts / Artist
  • fiona w
  • Sam H
    • Title/position
    • PhD student
  • Kim D
  • Daniel G
    • Title/position
    • Artist
    • Comments
    • В
  • sandrine a
  • DR JULES W
    • Title/position
    • DIRECTOR
    • Comments
    • THE IMPACT OF THESE PROCEDURES SERIOUSLY IMPEDES OUR INTERNATIONAL WORK, WHICH IS A TWO WAY STREET, AND I FEAR MAY PARTICULARLY CURTAIL OUR WORKING RELATIONSHIPIS WITH MIDDLE EASTERN AND THIRD WORLD COLLEAGUES.
  • Kathy P
  • marta m
    • Title/position
    • Artist
    • Comments
    • Culture should not have restrictions!!
  • Alison R
    • Title/position
    • Theatre and Opera Production Manager
  • Anna T
  • Peter E
    • Comments
    • Encourage artistic exchange, but also retain an oversight of the whole situation to prevent abuse and illegal activity.
  • Raymond T
    • Title/position
    • Emeritus Professor of Geriatric Medicine
    • Comments
    • Another manifestation of the erosion of our freedoms
  • Roanne D
    • Title/position
    • Director, Jerwood Charitable Foundation
  • Robin W
  • Jo M
    • Title/position
    • writer lecturer chelsea college of art & design
    • Comments
    • В
  • Daxa P
    • Title/position
    • Artist
  • Johannes M
    • Title/position
    • В
    • Comments
    • В
  • Carol W
  • Lucy M
    • Title/position
    • Ms
  • Sonja W
    • Title/position
    • artist
  • adam t
    • Title/position
    • director
  • Ernesto P
    • Title/position
    • PhD student
  • regulo a
    • Title/position
    • designer
  • Michael P
  • Ana C
    • Title/position
    • Mexican Student in London
  • tony g
    • Title/position
    • artistic director unicorn theatre
  • Valerie F
    • Title/position
    • Professor of Art History, University of Essex
  • jo d
    • Title/position
    • Artist ,curator