About the SAU
Achievements
Key Achievements of the Scottish Artists Union include:
April 2000- preliminary conference launches idea of Scottish Artists Union
May 2001- SAU formally constituted
May 2002- Recommended Rates of Pay document launched
November 2002- Rates of Pay endorsed by the Scottish Arts Council
March 2003- nationwide roadshow launched
July 2003- website launched
March 2004- launch of direct political lobbying programme
November 2004- Parliamentary Question raised regarding Artists’ rates of Pay (Donald Gorrie, Lib.Dems)
November 2004- Parliamentary Question raised regarding support for Artists’ International Activity (Donald Gorrie, Lib.Dems)
April 2005- Artists, Galleries & Money conference
July 2005- “Where is the artist now?” debate
August 2005- formal response to the Cultural Commission Report submitted
January 2006- Parliamentary Questions raised regarding payments to artists (Donald Gorrie, Lib.Dems)
April 2006- Public Liability Insurance Benefit announced
September 2006- Contracts & Resale Rights conference
October 2006- membership exceeds 300
January 2007- SAU only artists’ organisation asked to attend and open Parliamentary debate on Draft Culture (Scotland) Bill (Chris Ballance, Green Party)
March 2007- formal response to the Draft Culture (Scotland) Bill submitted
April 2007- new website launched
October 2007- membership exceeds 500
February 2008- formal response to Protection of Vulnerable Groups Act Secondary Legislation, Vetting & Barring Scheme submitted
August 2008- formal submission to Calman Commission on Scottish Devolution
December 2008- information stand in Scottish Parliament
February 2009- meeting with Minister for Europe, External Affairs & Culture
February 2009- meeting with Under-Secretary of State for Scotland
April 2009- new Rates of Pay guidance published
May 2009- membership exceeds 600
March 2010- membership exceeds 700
May 2010- first SAU office opens in Glasgow
August 2010- SAU recognised as a potential member organisation by the Executive Committee of the European Council of Artists.
