Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Patrick Stewart and Dame Julie Walters have joined some of the biggest names in British theatre to urge Boris Johnson to secure visa-free EU travel for artists.

MUSICIANS and artists need visa-free access to EU countries to enable them to tour once the coronavirus restrictions are lifted, Scotland’s Culture Secretary has argued.

Ten players and administrators on the fallout in government restrictions to EU touring.

The outdoor arts sector has experienced growth over the last decade, but could a no-deal Brexit put the brakes on this?

Film and TV performers have become Brexit “collateral damage” after the British government failed to reach an agreement with the European Union for creative industry workers to travel visa-free across the continent.

Sir Antony Gormley has called Brexit the “biggest act of self-harm this country has ever played on itself” in a withering condemnation of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union.

The government is being urged to negotiate a visa waiver for performers with the EU and provide an emergency creative fund. / More than 300 creative organisations have signed a letter to demand that Boris Johnson delivers on his promise to "fix the Brexit crisis" for their industry.

The Royal Shakespeare Company, Royal Opera House and Ed Sheeran's manager have signed a letter urging Boris Johnson to avert a "crisis which is threatening our industry" since Brexit.

The opportunity to travel freely, experience different cultures and exchange ideas, has long been a source of inspiration for creatives. The UK’s membership of the EU granted Freedom of Movement across the bloc to all UK citizens, which took away the previous need for work visas and carnets which were a costly and time-consuming drain on resources.

A BORDERS artist has revealed how Brexit is affecting his business.

On 26 October, we held a panel event to discuss the impact of Brexit on music specifically and the Arts generally. / As a preface to the evening’s discussion, the editor-in-chief, Anthea Simmons, read out a powerful, personal message from Sir Howard Goodall which we reproduce here in full.

Post-Brexit barriers facing the arts are "heartbreaking" and "confirm worst fears", industry leaders have said.

Arts missing out on tens of millions from expanded EU fund, say campaigners.

Fears that Britain’s flagship museums will be forced to scrap major exhibitions after Brexit can be revealed today.

Brexit has done "terrible damage" to opera and curtailed the careers of British singers, who are being forced to turn down roles in Europe, creatives have claimed.

The impact of Brexit on freelancers and the UK’s creative industries has been laid bare. / In a damning new report, the government is starkly reminded that it put in place “no clear provisions…dedicated to self-employed” people from abroad, in the 2020 Brexit deal.

Many in the arts will look at 2022 with trepidation. There are still many issues with the Brexit deal from 12 months ago.

If the coronavirus pandemic does not critically damage the British and European music industry, the effect of Brexit may finish it off.

The last days of Britain's membership of the EU saw a rush to get artworks out of the country before the introduction of new export rules.

A no-deal departure from Europe would mean touring musicians could face logistical headaches. / Professional musicians say they are being overlooked in the swirling Brexit debate.

The Brexit visa crisis, which is preventing British film and TV employees from working in the European Union without filling out reams of costly paperwork, is now starting to cause issues for spring shoots on the continent, according to The Production Guild of Great Britain.

Clare McAndrew's British Art Market in 2023 survey shows a growing gulf between UK and US art markets, prompting key players to lobby government.

Angel of the North artist now holds dual nationality and is ‘keen to retain links with Europe’.

One of the more immediate and life-changing consequences of Brexit was its impact on the arts sector. Musicians were particularly affected. Used to travelling easily to perform anywhere in the EU and for any length of stay, suddenly they were faced with severe restrictions on work-related travel, casting doubt on their ability to earn whatever part of their income came from touring.

Top tenor Nicky Spence introduces four other distinguished voices on the visa debacle. / Forget the pandemic, it's Brexit which could ring the death knell for artists who are currently hoarse from begging to be taken seriously as a respected export.

MPs discussed EU visas for artists which have resulted in bureaucracy and added costs.

New visa rules, taxes and transport restrictions are some of the hurdles British dance and theatre organisations must now overcome to tour Europe.

It may take 40 years until the UK’s international theatre scene thrives as it did pre-Brexit, former Shakespeare’s Globe artistic director Dominic Dromgoole has warned.

The acclaimed artist's new work, Song Of The Union, is a constantly changing, seven-channel sound piece intended to "give voice to EU citizens living in the UK who were unable to vote in the 2016 Brexit referendum," according to the press release.

The European Parliament has commissioned dozens of impact assessments or studies on Brexit from experts, across a broad range of policy areas, which are publicly available online. This webpage will be regularly updated to include further relevant publications.

Home Office pours cold water on artists’ hopes of retaining free movement between the UK and the EU.

Published by Arts Council of Northern Ireland in May 2021 (updated July 2021).

On trade, finance, migration, food standards and more, the UK suffers fresh ignominy on a daily basis.

The prime minister has imperilled peace in Northern Ireland, and every day the economic fallout worsens.

Figures from arts institutions fear 2022 event could alienate remain-supporting visitors.

The pre-Brexit business models for much of Britian’s creative industries are no longer workable, to the extent that many individuals and performers will be forced to quit.

Since the Brexit Deal (or Trade and Cooperation Agreement) came into force in January 2021, a mountain of costly red tape has prevented musicians from planning tours in Europe as performances return after coronavirus.

Children's book illustrator Axel Scheffler has hit out at Brexit as he picked up the illustrator of the year prize at the British Book Awards. German-born Scheffler is best known for his work on Julia Donaldson's books, including The Gruffalo series.

Prolific film composer Hans Zimmer has spoken of his Brexit frustrations, the "grim" state of the world and says he fears the consequences of what's happening in Number 10 "are going to be dreadful".

We speak to makers, artists, galleries and small enterprises about their struggles with the new rules for Britain's trade with the EU.

A north-east lighting designer has told of the impact the Covid crisis has had on the theatre and entertainment sectors.

More than 680 cultural figures and institutions sign open letter over decision they believe "threatens an impoverished future for British creativity".

"We have to pay hundreds of pounds, fill in form after form, and spend weeks waiting for approval – just so we can do our jobs"

In a letter from the Equity union, the new rules are described as a “towering hurdle” for the industry.

Lawyers have revealed five 'false claims' made by ministers they say prove the government refused to strike a deal to rescue visa-free touring in the EU.

Today, peers in the House of Lords published a report that said the creative industries need a new agreement to resolve issues with mobility arrangements and moving goods between the UK and EU.

The association said that leaving the EU without a deal would “have a highly damaging impact on: the communities that museums serve, people who work in and with museums, and the sharing of collections, ideas and expertise across European borders”.

This week in Parliament I raised the plight of Leamington performing arts company Motionhouse along with other groups and artists faced with rising costs and restrictions caused by Brexit.

The music charity Help Musicians is set to provide a new fund that will give UK-based artists advice and planning tips regarding touring Europe in the post-Brexit climate.

UK Music warns big blow of visa charges and paperwork ‘could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back’.

The National Theatre has said uncertainty over obtaining visas and work permits in mainland Europe has led it to shelve plans to tour there.

Sector bodies warn of immediate hit to funding, touring and networks.

Artists must also prove they have nearly £1000 in savings before applying.

"We are extremely concerned by the lack of progress"

Fresh example of ‘disastrous’ impact of hard Brexit deal on creative artists stuns MPs.

Fergus Linehan calls for visa-free travel for British artists to solve logistical problems of touring.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister gave evidence to MPs and said the Government was working to find a solution to mobility issues around visas, work permits and moving goods between the UK and EU.

Home Office accused of refusing to listen to £111bn-a-year culture sector – just weeks after a minister admitted government must retain free movement

Improvements ‘essential’ to rescue services trade, peers say – warning ‘too much is at stake if we don’t’.

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI) has published a report highlighting the implications for culture in Northern Ireland of the UK's withdrawal from the European Union (EU).

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop has requested an urgent meeting with the UK Government to discuss the impact of ending EU free movement on culture and creative sectors.

Paris will soon replace London as the art capital of Europe, warns art fair founder.

Covid-19 has prevented just about all music touring... They will play to packed houses, festivals and stadiums as soon as people are free to attend. But touring for all types of UK musical performers after Brexit is beset with administrative difficulties, barriers to trade and hoops to jump through. It is also exporting jobs and tax income to the continent and beyond.

As small businesses crumble, shelves get emptier and the care-worker shortage intensifies, life outside the EU is having a dire effect on many of us. Why aren’t politicians talking about it?

Julie Walters among signatories to letter saying post-Brexit changes a ‘towering hurdle’ to working in Europe

Extra paperwork, border checks and additional costs for exports - Brexit has destroyed the livelihoods of countless musicians.

The lead singer of Mercury Prize-nominated band Sports Team says touring in Europe is going to cost British performers tens of thousands of pounds due to post-Brexit paperwork.

The National Theatre says it can no longer afford to put on blockbuster shows including 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time' in the European Union because of Brexit.

UK born and now based in Berlin, largely because of Brexit, touring songwriter Josh Savage has played more than 700 shows on four continents. Here he gives he thoughts on how the post-Brexit EU work permit fiasco is impacting independent artists.

We, the signatories of this letter, represent artists, producers, managers, businesses, and platforms from across the Music Industry in the UK and are writing to express our real concerns over Brexit and the current direction of the UK’s proposed departure from the EU.

UK theatres have called for urgent clarification over post-Brexit touring provisions, warning that a failure to resolve visa rules would have “devastating consequences” for the sector.

Now some of the biggest names in British theatre have signed a joint letter to the government, expressing their concerns about the impact of post-Brexit visa rules on anyone seeking work in Europe.

‘It has absolutely curtailed people’s careers’ as they cannot take the same jobs abroad, he says.

Some of the UK's most prestigious museums could be forced to cancel exhibitions if Britain crashes out of the EU without a deal, according to a batch of secret memos.

The UK Trade and Business Commission is gathering evidence to understand the main challenges facing businesses, organisations and economic sectors to establish which policies and trading arrangements will help overcome the economic and trading barriers facing the UK today.

The UK has a 5/1 chance of rejoining the EU by 2026 due to a growing frustration with Brexit, a betting agency has predicted.

Promoter claims ‘catastrophe’ has cost it more than £88k and accuses British government of hypocrisy.

Orchestras can move freely around the EU without tariffs and piles of forms to fill in - but all that could be about to change.

After the U.S., the UK is the world's second-biggest market for art and antiques. But Brexit and the pandemic were major blows to sales in Britain last year, which slumped by 22 percent to $9.9 billion – the lowest level in a decade.

Musicians and music businesses warn of ‘time up’ for UK grassroots acts, and European orchestras being resistant to booking UK artists because of ‘paperwork and expense’.

Lawyers have identified five false claims made by ministers for refusing to strike a deal to rescue visa-free touring of the EU, leaving performers with crippling new costs and red tape.

MA joins creative industry representatives to call for urgent action. / The current terms of the Brexit trade deal make it virtually impossible for creative professionals to work in the EU on a short-term basis.

Curators who left the UK after the referendum took with them experience that is reshaping their cities’ art scenes.

Faced with the titanic costs of post-Brexit visas and carnets, UK musicians warn they are being left with no option but to relocate to Europe or quit the music industry altogether.

A production of Benjamin Britten’s opera at the Teatro Real in Madrid highlights the difficult new conditions for British artists working in the European Union.

From remixed flags to a fishermen’s feast, new works by amateur artists exploring the new Franco-British relationship have gone on show.

The UK’s withdrawal from the European Union has been “catastrophic” for arthouse cinema in the country, according to Louisa Dent, the managing director of UK distributor and exhibitor Curzon Artificial Eye.

But all is not lost – sign the petition now to grant British artists a Musicians’ Passport. Andrew Trendell investigates how Brexit could wreak havoc on the touring industry.