The current crisis - and government responses to it - have highlighted the precarious situation that many artists and creatives have to experience. From falling through the gaps in the patchwork of Covid support payments to having to live from one commission to the next, the pandemic has only exacerbated the existing difficulties that artists face.

In this online event, artists from across Scotland give their experiences as we shine a light on the current scale of the crisis facing many creative practitioners in Scotland today. Then, discussion will turn to how a basic income could help relieve some of the pressures of the present moment and build a more resilient foundation for artists to practice their work in the future.

In our final online event of 2020, join Basic Income Network Scotland, the organisation dedicated to basic income in Scotland, for this free Zoom event to explore how a basic income could support Scotland artists and ask questions to our panel.

About the speakers

Lynda Graham is President of the Scottish Artists Union (SAU) which represents over 1500 visual artists and makers throughout Scotland. Lynda studied Textiles at Glasgow School of Art and has worked in various Arts Development and Education roles throughout her career. More recently she has been freelance delivering socially engaged projects and trying to balance this with developing her own practice alongside her involvement with the union.

Lynda is joined by Ana – a member of the Scottish Artists Union and the NUJ. Ana is going to share her experience of the benefits system and how this has affected her practice as an artist.

Ana Hine lives with borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder, splitting her time between her art studio and participating in the wider artistic community in her hometown of Dundee. She is a graduate of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design. She tries to be as open and truthful about her mental health as she can, recently designing a billboard about depression which has been installed in various locations across Dundee. She offers weekly drawing lessons on her art Patreon, volunteers at Generator Projects and Dundee Design Project, is co-chair of The Queer Dot arts collective, editor of Artificial Womb feminist arts zine, and occasionally writes about art for money. She tells her psychiatrist that she likes 'arts and crafts' and they rarely ask follow up questions.

Ellen Joelle Hofer is a 34 year old New Scot artist, political activist and campaigner for progressive and inclusive policies. She lives in South Lanarkshire with her partner and 2.5 cats and works across Scotland and beyond.

Gordon Dickson (he/him) is a trustee of Basic Income Network Scotland, Treasurer of the Scottish Green Party and a member of the executive committee of Scottish CND. He has experience of working with many leading Scottish arts organisations in theatre, film & the visual arts. Gordon is a qualified learning manager and recently worked as freelance projects/campaigns manager with the Scottish Artists Union and the National Union of Journalists.

More speakers to be announced shortly.

About Basic Income Network Scotland

We are the volunteer-led, educational charity advocating for a basic income in Scotland. We support a network of Basic Income advocates – providing training and a platform for discussion. We lend our expertise to government and share the stories of people who would benefit from a Basic Income.

Now is the time to join the discussion and shape the future of Basic Income in Scotland. We provide events, training and support so people like you can speak with confidence about Basic Income in your community.

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