Equity

Equity Guide for Street Artists

Equity was founded in 1930 as a trade union for actors. The Variety Artistes' Federation, (founded 1892), was incorporated into Equity into 1967 and ever since then the union has represented performers working as street artists, in circus, in cabaret, on cruise ships and in theme parks, among many other areas.

We recognise that since these performers are usually freelance, they can be vulnerable and so Equity aims to provide protection and support wherever they are working.

However, any union is only as strong as its members, so to make sure that we can continue to support you and you peers it is vital that professionals continue to support Equity.

What does Equity do?

We provide a lot of practical support and advice when you need it at work - on a contract; on what to do if you haven't been paid; health and safety; help if you get injured and countless other things that aid you in your working life, such as the automatic Public Liability Insurance that comes with Equity membership.

Contracts

Equity promotes good relations between performers, managers and agents, seeking to ensure that artists are protected at work and when rehearsing. There are some formally negotiated contracts covering a range of employment plus "house" agreements with individual employers. There is also a standard contract that members can issue themselves and we are happy to advise any member on setting up their own contracts and confirmation slips. In addition there is a contract for Street Performers and Companies which was drawn up with the ITC - Independent Theatre Council and launched at the National Street Arts Meeting (NASAM) in 2004.

We also advise our members on any contract that they are offered (including non-Equity ones) for performance related work and always ask members to check contracts with us for any overseas work, before signing them.

Insurance

• Equity members are automatically covered for up to £10 million public liability insurance as part of their union membership. There is no excess on any claim and the cover includes products' liability (e.g. party bags) and the use of flash tape, cotton and paper. It also covers members working overseas (except for the USA&Canada) as long as they are usually resident in the UK.
• Insurance cover for fire artists at a charge of £26.25 per year with Equity paying the same amount to secure the cover for members. The kind of activities covered include Fire Juggling; Angle grinding within a performance; Devil Sticks, Staffs, Dove Pan, POI, Fire Eating and Blowing, Body Burning.
• Free accident insurance in the case of an accident occurring when you were performing, rehearsing, practising, training or while in the course of daily travel between your usual or temporary residence and the venue in connection with a professional performance or engagement. As with the public liability the accident cover works overseas (apart from USA and Canada) as long as you are normally resident in the UK.

Legal, Tax and Welfare

• Free advice on personal injury or contract issues. Cases are often pursued in court. Equity takes on around 300 legal cases per year on behalf of members.
• Chasing of unpaid fees on behalf of members - often totalling many thousands of pounds each year.
• Free access to a solicitor for a single consultation on a non-work related legal issue.
• Free advice on tax, national insurance and welfare benefits. We run a helpline and frequently represent members at Benefits' Agency tribunals.

Other Services

• Equity Job Information Service - paid work for performers across the entertainment industry.
• Equity charities - to help during tough times.
• Medical support - access to the British Association of Performing Arts Medicine helplines and clinics to access advice and information on performance-related medical, psychological and dental problems.
• Training - various training initiatives including CD roms on Business Skills, Marketing for Performers and Arts Administration which are free to members.

Campaigning

Equity campaigns vigorously and productively on behalf of the performance community on a wide range of national, international, local and specialist issues. These include funding for the arts, entertainment licensing, venue closures, tax status of artists and many other topics that matter.

Contact

Equity campaigns vigorously and productively on behalf of the performance community on a wide range of national, Within the Equity staff there are Regional and National Organisers who are experienced and knowledgeable about the work of street artists. We also have staff with expertise in theatre, television, film, theatre and new media, so no matter what your query there is someone at Equity who should be able to help. Equity offices are to be found around the UK

Help Lines

Equity Live Performance/Variety/Theatre Helpdesk
Mon - Fri, 9.30am - 5.30pm
tel: 020 7670 0237
jmurdock@equity.org.uk

Equity Film/TV/Radio Helpdesk
Mon - Fri, 9.30am - 5.30pm
tel: 020 7670 0247
awhiteside@equity.org.uk