Creative protests as ‘tax on art’ licensing law comes into force

ARTISTS across Scotland have held a day of protests – entitled A Little April Foolery – against a change in licensing law they have branded a “tax on art”.

In Glasgow a 35-strong group staged a “mass ukulele intervention” in George Square yesterday, while in Edinburgh a knitting group gathered to demonstrate their opposition to the proposals with an “April woolery” event outside the city’s King’s Theatre.

Elsewhere in the capital, a “Sound of Music Protest” took place in St Andrew Square, while a “Soapbox Presentation” featuring artist Fiona Jardine and fashion designer Chi Zhang was held in Cockburn Street.

Changes to the Public Entertainment Licence law came into effect across Scotland yesterday, meaning temporary free exhibitions or public shows will need a licence costing between £124 and £7500.

A petition against charges for free and small-scale artistic and cultural events, prompted by the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010, has gathered almost 19,000 signatures.

Glasgow City Council is temporarily delaying the implementation of the Act and Edinburgh has agreed to exempt small, free-to-enter public events from the obligation to obtain a Public Entertainment Licence.

Suzanne Ross, organiser of Ukulele Players Unite Against The Public Entertainment Licence, said: “The whole point of today is to help raise awareness about the Public Entertainment Licence and how it will affect people.

“We’ve had a fantastic response from the public today. People are outraged by what is happening and very supportive of our campaign.

“We will continue to keep up the pressure on Glasgow City Council UNITED: Sophie Kromholz, 23, joins ukelele players in Glasgow’s George Square for a campaign supported by The Proclaimers and Cora Bissett, above. throughout the public consultation, as well as campaigning to amend the national legislation.”

The protests have received highprofile backing, with Craig and Charlie Reid of The Proclaimers, writer Irvine Welsh and actress and director Cora Bissett among those to have criticised the tax.

The Reid brothers said: “Anything that hinders artistic expression and creativity should be opposed by everybody.”

Mr Welsh, author of Trainspotting, said: “It’s a brilliant idea if the intention is to destroy grass-roots culture in Scotland – a stupid one if there’s any other agenda.”