Like other self-employed artists I have looked into my last 3 years tax returns to see what grant I may be eligible for from UK HMRC in a week. I looked into my cancelled future earnings (which was a less promising for payments for public panel discussion talks I am taking part in), some are postponed, others reschedule for a Zoom (or equivalent) version.. all of these happening and academic showcases, however, are unpaid!
How would you feel ? If it wasn’t for Brighton University (employing me as a visiting lecturer on the MA Digitial Media Arts course), and small private groups I have built up over the years to give workshops to in London – who expect to pay their facilitating artist, I would have little on my tax return as an artist. An artist for 18 years.
Who cares, only I wonder why I struggle to make an income? Even before Covid19 I am not offered fees to participate in over half the events I take part in, even though ticket entry is charged by the organiser. I have also been the organiser, in Lucid Dreaming Workshops before they became hip and de Jour in the UK.. making less than £60 after all costs and helpers were recompensed.
So here I sit, more emergency funds applied for, supported by some amazing artists and friends to not take this personally and await our global outcome.
