Arts Council England has published a guide on how to deal with a “no deal” Brexit. Laura Dyer, a deputy chief executive of the council, says that “it is important that arts and cultural organisations are prepared for the possibility of a no deal scenario”. Unless agreement is reached between the UK and the European Union, a no deal situation will come into operation after 29 March.
Movement of art
A no deal Brexit will impact on artists and organisations arranging exhibitions. It would mean “reduced access across the straits at Dover and Folkestone for up to six months”. Arts organisations should therefore “evaluate the impact of goods or items being delayed at borders and consider ways to minimise reliance on these routes”.
The council suggests that arts organisations dependent on fine art transport should consult the EU Registrars Group advice. The registrars recommend that museums and galleries need “to plan in extra time time for shipments and to talk to DCMS [the government’s culture department] about any large, delicate or high value shipments due to move to and from the EU in the six months following 29 March”.
EU funding
UK organisations will no longer be eligible to receive future funding for EU schemes, such as Creative Europe and the European Regional Development Fund. UK arts organisations which have already won EU support will receive funding from their own government.
In the event of a no deal Brexit, the Arts Council advises that organisations should “consider its reliance on commercial or philanthropic income through visitor numbers, donations or corporate hire”.
Freedom of movement
EU nationals in the UK will be eligible to stay and work in the UK, but they will be required to register with the government. As for future immigration, the free movement from the EU will be ended and replaced by a skills-based system.
UK artists or organisations travelling to Europe
UK citizens will be subject to the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, which requires online registration and payment of a fee.
Export of cultural property
The present system for exporting cultural property to a non-EU country would be extended to include EU destinations.
