Simon HuxtableToday, Monday 9th November, #LetUsDance will be heard in UK parliament debating the continuing plight around the Night Time Economy sector and the importance of Electronic Music within British culture using the #Letusdance banner to urge the Government to recognise and value this contemporary music sector as an important part of arts and culture within the UK, focusing on gaining further support and a clear exit strategy for the sector.
The #LetUsDance campaign was initiated by the NTIA and AFEM to gain recognition within the arts to access Culture Recovery Funding for the UK’s world-leading Dance Music and Events Sector. During the campaign over 5000 letters were sent to local MPs urging them to intervene and contact the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and the Chancellor the Exchequer and the petitions received over 145,000 signatures.
In support of the hearing in parliament, the NTIA are launching a #DearBoris virtual protest to let the government know what people in the industry stand to lose culturally or economically from the ongoing shutdown of nightlife and events.
“Our sector has been marginalised and continues to fight for survival. Recent announcements have given some light, but we have lost so many businesses, employees and self employed already, we are still in a very vulnerable state. Electronic Music is a huge part of the Night Time Economy and events sector and is a vital part of the UK’s cultural tapestry, but needs to be recognised and valued alongside Classic Arts and Live Music. We are renowned globally for our electronic music scene.” Michael Kill, CEO NTIA said,
“Our sector supports such a huge ecosystem of creative and talented people who are risk of losing their livelihoods and their jobs, with the future hanging in the balance as venues are unable to re-open. And not forgetting the human element with growing pressures within the sector which are starting to impact on the general wellbeing of individuals and their ability to cope, which is why it is so important to have an exit strategy and roadmap to re-opening.”
Dance music, nightclubs and festival culture are a vital part of the British heritage as well as generating millions of pounds in revenue for the economy, it adds to the ever-growing nightlife tourism figures boasting 300 million visits a year across the UK.
There are over 1600 nightclubs and thousands of events and festivals across the UK which play a significant role in supporting the wider The Night Time economy which generates 66 billion in revenue per annum (6% of the UK’s total). Festivals (across all genres) contribute £1.75bn GVA to the UK Economy annually and support 85,000 jobs.
To allow the public to make their voice heard, the campaign you can join the #DearBoris virtual protest with the aim of flooding social feeds with stories, tagging @BorisJohnson from both industry professionals and music lovers who stand to lose their livelihoods, or their future culture.
This is an urgent call for everyone in the nightlife and events ecosystem to let the UK Government know what you stand to lose culturally or economically from the ongoing shutdown of nightlife and events. They need to hear your stories. Whether you have been directly affected, or this has affected your friends/family, favourite venues or events, it’s time to speak up!
To join the protest:
1. Head to ntia.co.uk/protectmusicsaveculture and write your message.
***Please note this may take 5-10 minutes to come through to the gallery, so please be patient***
2. Save your digital asset and share it on your socials using #DearBoris
#ProtectMusicSaveCulture
3. Share and spread the word!