The countdown has begun toward June 23rd, and whilst the political elite jostle within their own parties creating yet more divide there are those of us who view the possibility of a Brexit success as more than just a question of sovereignty or re-negotiated trade agreements.
As a classical musician working in the UK and across Europe for the last fifteen years I am deeply concerned about the impact an ‘out’ vote would have not only on my career, but on the arts as a whole in the UK.
The UK can lay claim to having some of the greatest orchestras, opera and theatre companies in the world. This is in no small part due to the extraordinary wealth of European talent living and working in the UK. Freedom of services means that theatre groups and orchestras can work freely across Europe without bureaucratic interference. Most British orchestras and ensembles spend much of their time on tour, a majority of it across Europe. A Brexit scenario could reduce the ease and frequency of these tours overnight. In an economy where public funding for the arts is increasingly diminishing this could mean hundreds if not thousands of musicians losing their livelihoods.
But there’s always private sponsorship isn't there? Many arts organisations rely solely on private sponsorship as opposed to public funding. Brexit would argue that the UK can negotiate fresh trade deals, and business can thrive without the supposed shackles of the EU. But if the UK had its credit rating slashed, not to mention the falling pound as a result of the impending referendum, are big businesses going to stoically support the arts amidst a failing economy? They certainly didn't in 2008.
Aside from those British artists travelling abroad, what of the European artists performing here at the BBC proms, the Edinburgh Festival, and countless other concerts and performances that take place across the country throughout the year? Yes, those players can still come to the UK post-Brexit but the cost of doing so is likely to increase, and UK promoters will have to pass on the additional cost to theatre-goers, many of whom will not be able to afford it. With the potential loss of revenue from ticket sales and the impact on local businesses, such as hoteliers and restaurants, it becomes clear that a diminishing arts scene in the UK could have wider implications on the British economy.
When Liverpool was European city of culture in 2008 it recorded a 34% rise in tourism on the previous year, with a rise in visits to cultural venues of 10% year on year 2006-08. The impact on the local economy there cannot be disputed, yet the Brexit campaign has neglected to acknowledge the contribution the arts make to the British economy as a result of the freedom afforded by the EU.
Europe has become an intrinsic part of the fabric of our society in Britain, and it is because of this reciprocal nature of study, research and performance that the UK is acknowledged to be a world leader in culture and the arts. The only industry the UK can lay claim to anymore is the ability to produce truly international actors, artists and musicians, and if we lose these because of a misguided quest for national sovereignty then we could lose our last semblance of national identity.
