AIR

AIR members from across the UK march for access to art education.

Around 300,000 people have joined March for the Alternative in the biggest union-organised event for over 20 years. From artists to doctors, families to union members, people took to the streets in mass protest against the coalition government's public sector cuts.

AIR members convened on London's Embankment, carrying artwork, banners, signs and taking part in performances. It was a fantastic example of the solidarity of visual artists, united in a common cause - that there is an alternative to the government's current austerity measures.

AIR Council's Katriona Beales commented: "It felt a privilege to take part - and to march with other artists, in solidarity with nurses, firemen, chiropodists, musicians, teachers, parents, students...the list goes on. It was an amazingly diverse group of people with wildly different views on many issues, but united in the belief that the cuts affecting so many sectors are too fast, too deep and lacking in imagination, not to mention hurting the most vulnerable elements of society whilst letting the perpetrators of the recession get off scot-free."

Artist Fiona Long commented: "We were marching against cuts to the art sector under the banner 'art education is a right not a privilege'. I feel strongly about this since, having finished my Fine Art BA with flying colours, whilst having some success, finding work in the arts sector is seriously tough. I'm competing against hundreds or thousands of people for every job. Many have MAs, which I simply cannot afford to do."

Artist Jackie Raybone criticised media coverage of the event: "It was a great day. People peacefully protested in a well-organised march against the government spending cuts. A few hundred people stayed and caused violence, and as such have hi-jacked media coverage, diverting from the main issues."

The march convened in Hyde Park for a rally organised by the TUC. General secretary of the TUC Brendan Barber told the crowds: "The government claims there is no alternative, but there is. Let's keep people in work and get our economy growing. Let's get tax revenues flowing and tackle the tax cheats, and let's have a Robin Hood tax on the banks, so they pay us back for the mess they caused."

Barber was followed on stage by Labour leader Ed Miliband, who told the audience: "The Tories said I should not come to speak today. But I am proud to stand with you. There is an alternative."

The response to Miliband's presence at the rally has been far from favourable, with Education Secretary Michael Gove telling BBC news: "We have inherited a terrible economic mess and we have to take steps to bring the public finances back into balance. Mr Miliband is attending the march but is yet to sketch out an alternative."

Whatever Miliband's real reasons for attending the rally, neither his presence nor the small splinter group of troublemakers could distract from the real issues at hand. This was an incredible show of solidarity from those fighting the cuts, with AIR ensuring the voice of artists was heard. Informed by its membership, AIR will continue to campaign for access to art education. This was just the beginning.

LINKS

View Mariona Otero's photographs of AIR's march on Flickr »

Visit Fiona Long's blog here »

Jackie Raybone's website can be found here »

Jack Hutchinson

Jack Hutchinson is an artist, writer and educator. A specialist on the role of digital technology within the visual arts, he is Communications Officer for AIR: Artists Interaction and Representation through a-n The Artists Information Company. His writing has featured in a diverse range of publications, including Dazed and Confused, Garageland, Guardian Culture Professionals, Twin Magazine, a-n Magazine and Schweizer Kunst. Based in London at Bow Arts Trust, he is an active campaigner for artistic, legislative and economic measures that enhance artists' working lives and professional status. His multi-disciplinary visual practice has featured in solo and group exhibitions across the UK.

jackhutchinsonair@googlemail.com | www.jackjhutchinson.wordpress.com

First published: a-n.co.uk April 2011