In January Russian artist Dmitry Vilensky was twice refused a Visa to enter the UK on account of the fact that he was to earn a small fee for a seminar that was co-organised by The Showroom and Afterall. Since then we have become more aware of the recent changes in restrictions that make it difficult and expensive for arts organsations to bring artists and academics from outside of the EU.
The civil liberties group, The Manifesto Club along with Manick Govinda of Arts Admin, The Showroom, Afterall and other arts groups are working hard to get the message across that these parochial and suspicious regulations need to be reconsidered, and re-affirm the vital contribution made by global artists and scholars to UK cultural and intellectual life.
A campaign website and a petition have been set up:
www.manifestoclub.com/visitingartists
