The Art Newspaper: Changes to Britain’s immigration rules mean that young, talented artists from abroad are officially not welcome to come to the UK: only those who are internationally established should apply for a visa to live and work here. There has been an 85% fall in the number of visas granted to artists from beyond the European Union since the government introduced new rules last year, The Art Newspaper has learned.
5 comments:
These new immigration laws for young artists seem very extreme to me. While I was reading the beginning of the article, I was wondering whether or not it would apply to students trying to study abroad in London. When the professor was quoted saying that students couldn't come into the country to study at a university to which they had already been accepted because of the immigration laws, I was appalled. It seems to me that these new laws excluding young artists will show London in a bad light. As a major cultural city, you would think they would want more up and coming artists to come in and study and work there. The city is excluding itself in a big way, and it's a shame that talented people are going to miss out on a lot of opportunities because of it.
This is really a disgrace. First off, I think it is extreme, as Jess said, and not logical in any sense for Britain to enforce these laws. Every famous artist was once just a student, or someone with hopes and dreams to have a career in what they love most. It is unfair that artists will no longer be able to start their careers in Britain. Also, although some young artists may not be financially secure, they will still be contributing to Britain's economy and, in some cases, will be extremely successful and shine a positive light on Britain as a whole. It is also a shame that talented students will no longer be able to study abroad with hopes of staying in Britain just because of their chosen career. It is almost offensive that the British government is showing their lack of support of the arts by enforcing this law. Hopefully it is not something that will remain permanent.
Yikes. What is Britain thinking, making such nonsensical restrictions in their immigration laws? What do they expect to happen in a few decades, when all the amazing, established artists of today are gone and current students have become the powerhouses for the arts? These new artists will set the bar and wow the world, and because of Britain's ignorance and misguided decision, Britain will be sadly underrepresented when this time comes. As of now, Britain has quite a bit to be proud of in the world of art and design, and it is just silly for them to give it all up for apparently no good reason.
During the whole time reading this article, I thought this was ridiculous. Like how Emma commented, what is Britain thinking. For so many centuries, Britain has produced and inspired great numbers of famous artists. Also, it definitely had been an inspirational place for other international artists. Looking at this new Britain's immigration rules, I have to say that Britain is thinking totally wrong. I mean, what is the criteria for being "famous and internationally established?" It is definitely depressing to see the drop of 85% in the number of visas granted to artists. They are the new futures, they are the new artists who can sway the trend of art. It is just too sad to see how Britain became blind and could not see how discovering potential artist is way more valuable and successful than just supporting already famous artist. I do not really know what Britain's intention was by setting up those rules, but I hope the people can rethink about this unfair issue for better opportunity for future, young artists.
I think the whole concept of this is ridiculous(like others) but I never have applied for a visa to another country. I think the biggest thing that bothers me is the issue with money. I think that the whole non-refundable policy adds fuel to the fire to the visas issue. I think that this is going to make people even less motivated to bother applying for visas. In turn this going to make artists even less willing to live in Britain overall.
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