One of the most contentious issues affecting our trade and a good number of our Members, is Artists Resale Right ( Droit de Suite). The Art Dealers amongst you will be aware that our worst fears have now been realised and as from 1st January 2012, this resale tax now applies also to dead artists up to 70 years after their death. The bitter battle to oppose this tax which is likely to be so damaging to the UK art trade has been fought long and hard and is not over yet.
It is important that the views of dealers themselves are heard, and not just through the trade associations, individual voices are also powerful – and the more of these that can be heard, the better.
For this reason, Niall Fairhead of Fairhead Fine Art has launched an on-line Petitition, and we urge all our Members to sign it. Mr Fairhead says .....
‘Living artists embarking on their careers and wanting to promote their art can usually only do so with the help of experienced art dealers. These dealers can also help manage deceased artists’ estates by offering storage, conservation, cataloguing, research and restoration services. Artists need a trade that is based upon dealers and galleries who are strong, efficient, professional and financially-solvent. The full implementation of the Right will hinder this by considerably reducing dealers’ margins and by increasing fourfold the bureaucracy they deal with. At a time when running a small business is becoming increasingly costly, the cumulative effect of 4% ARR on purchases plus 4% on sales will make it difficult for small art dealers to meet their overheads.’
The Petition calls upon the Government to:
(a) recognise this impact on small businesses by increasing from €1,000 to €3,000 the threshold above which the Right is collected in the UK, as allowed under the European Artist’s Resale Right Directive; and
(b) exert pressure on the European Commission to change the Directive so that it is less damaging to the art market, particularly the market in works by deceased artists.
Please visit the link below to view the Petition and more information on how to oppose this tax.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/damage-to-small-businesses-from-the-artists/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=system&utm_campaign=Send%2Bto%2BFriend
You might also like to keep an eye on this useful Blog devised by LAPADA Member Elliot Lee, which will also feature this Survey and general debate issues surrounding ARR Art, Antiques & Design Blog
Thank you for your support,
Sarah Percy-Davis
Chief Executive
LAPADA The Association of Art & Antiques Dealers
