APPG for Visual Arts convenes cross-party MPs

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Visual Arts has confirmed its members at the group's inaugural AGM.

The APPG is composed of cross-party MPs who will work to support and promote understanding of the visual arts, ensure fair pay for artists, and champion artists’ contributions to the economy and society.

Conservative MP for Stafford THEO CLARKE is the group's Chair.

Clarke has a background in visual arts, working for the Museum of Modern Art in New York and Christie's auction house before founding Russian Art and Culture, an online arts magazine in 2011. She is Co-founder of the Association of Women in the Arts, a non-profit networking group aiming to advance the careers of women in visual arts.

“The visual arts enrich the lives of all in the UK and play a vital role in our thriving creative economy, from internationally renowned art fairs to grassroots community projects that inspire the next generation of artists and creatives,” Clarke said. 

“At the same time, the sector faces unique challenges around fair pay, career pathways, access to education and safeguarding copyright. The APPG for Visual Arts has been established to ensure that artists, and the wider visual arts sector, have a voice in parliament.”

The APPG has six Vice-Chairs, including Conservative MP for North Thanet, Sir ROGER GALE, who is also Vice-Chair for the British Council APPG, crossbench peer and Vice-Chair of the APPG for Art, Craft and Design in Education, EARL OF CLANCARTY, and GILES WATLING, Conservative MP for Clacton. 

Also appointed Vice-Chairs are non-affiliated peer LORD INGLEWOOD, Liberal Democrat MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross JAMIE STONE, and Conservative MP for Folkestone and Hythe DAMIAN COLLINS, who is a former DCMS Parliamentary Under Secretary of State.

Conservative MP for Clywyd South SIMON BAYNES, Labour MP for Liverpool KIM JOHNSON, and Labour MP for Sunderland Central JULIE ELLIOTT have been named officers of the APPG.