Hiring and Sponsoring Artists (SOC Code 3411)

Artists, classified under SOC Code 3411, are imaginative professionals who play a crucial role in the cultural landscape by creating diverse artistic compositions. 

• Concept Development: Artists conceive and develop innovative ideas and approaches for their artwork.
• Material Selection: They select appropriate materials, mediums, and methods to bring their vision to life.
• Preparation: Artists prepare preliminary sketches, scale drawings, or color schemes to lay the groundwork for their compositions.
• Artistic Execution: The final work is built through various techniques such as carving, sculpting, etching, painting, engraving, or drawing.
• Exhibition Outreach: They actively approach managers of galleries and exhibitions to showcase their finished works.
• Artwork Restoration: Many artists also possess skills to restore damaged artworks, ensuring the preservation of cultural heritage.
• Collaboration with Writers: Artists liaise with writers and publishers to create book illustrations, bridging literature and art.
• Direct Sales: They market and sell their finished pieces directly to customers, fostering a personal connection with their audience.
• Commissioned Works: Artists often produce works on a commission basis, tailoring art to meet the specific desires of clients.

With the continuing evolution of the arts sector in the UK, the need for talented and versatile artists remains high, prompting galleries and creative agencies to seek international expertise. This guide is designed to assist HR professionals in understanding the process of hiring and sponsoring artists under the UK’s immigration system.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Artists?

SOC Code 3411 refers to artists who conceive and develop ideas for artistic compositions across various mediums. Their responsibilities can include:

• Creating artistic compositions: Conceiving and developing ideas, selecting appropriate materials, and determining methods of execution.
• Preparing sketches and plans: Producing sketches, scale drawings, or color schemes as part of the artistic process.
• Realizing finished works: Carving, sculpting, etching, painting, engraving, drawing, and other methods to create final artworks.
• Exhibiting work: Approaching gallery managers or exhibition coordinators to display finished pieces in public or private venues.
• Restoration of artworks: Utilizing artistic skills to restore and repair damaged works of art.
• Collaboration with writers and publishers: Liaising to produce book illustrations and contributing to literary projects.
• Marketing and selling: Promoting and selling artworks directly to customers and managing commissions for private clients.

Artists play an essential role in enriching cultural landscapes and driving creative expression in society.

Eligibility to Hire Artists (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Artists applying for this position must exhibit a strong foundation in artistic skills and meet specific qualifications or experience criteria. These may include:

• Portfolio of Work: A comprehensive collection of completed artworks that showcase originality, creativity, and technical proficiency.
• Exhibition History: Documented participation in previous exhibitions, collaborations, or commissioned works that reflect a professional presence in the art community.
• Artistic Skills: Proficiency in various artistic techniques including, but not limited to, carving, sculpting, etching, painting, engraving, and drawing.
• Material Selection: Strong understanding of materials, mediums, and methods appropriate for different artistic compositions.
• Educational Background: While not mandatory, a degree in fine arts or a related field can be beneficial and enhance the artist's work.
• Networking Ability: Capability to approach gallery managers and exhibition organizers to secure opportunities for displaying finished works.
• Restoration Skills: Experience in using artistic skills to restore and preserve damaged artworks.
• Collaboration: Ability to liaise with writers and publishers for producing book illustrations and other art-related projects.
• Sales and Marketing: Skills in marketing and selling finished pieces directly to customers, along with producing works on a commission basis for clients.

Ensure that the job description adheres to SOC Code 3411 and that the artist's experience and body of work meet the expectations for this role.

1. Salary Thresholds
2. Use the Minimum Salary Calculator to ensure your salary offer meets immigration requirements.

Sponsoring Artists: A Step-by-Step Guide for HR Professionals

Once you’ve confirmed that the role and candidate meet the eligibility requirements, follow this step-by-step guide to sponsoring Artists under SOC Code 3411.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK Artists, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas Artists under the Skilled Worker Visa program.

• Sponsor Licence Application: Submit documentation proving that your business is legitimate and has a genuine vacancy. Visit the sponsor licence application guide for more information. 
• Sponsor Licence Fees: Small businesses typically pay £574, while larger institutions pay £1,579. For more information, visit the sponsor licence fees guide. 
• Processing Time: Applications typically take up to 8 weeks, but using the Sponsor Licence Priority Service can reduce the processing time to 10 working days.

Once your sponsor licence is approved, you will receive a sponsor licence number, which allows you to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).

Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you have your sponsor licence, the next step is to assign a CoS to the Artists. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Artists applying from outside the UK, and an Undefined CoS for those already in the UK. Learn more in the Defined & Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship guide. 
• Required Documents: Provide details such as the Artists’s portfolio, passport and job offer. Refer to Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorship for a full list of necessary documents.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS is issued, the Artists can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.

• Visa Fees: Fees vary depending on the role and visa length—use the visa fees calculator to estimate the costs. 
• Immigration Skills Charge: Employers are required to pay this charge as part of sponsoring non-UK workers. This is separate from visa fees.

Conducting a Right to Work Check for Artists

Before the Artists begins working, you must conduct a right to work check to ensure they are legally allowed to work in the UK.

• Manual Right to Work Check: Verify original documents such as the Artists’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Artists holds an eVisa, you can use the UK government’s online system to verify their right-to-work status.

For more details on how to perform these checks, see the right to work check guide.

Post-Hiring Responsibilities and Compliance

1. Record-Keeping and Reporting  
2. • Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the Artists’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Artists’s role—such as promotions or salary increases—via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
3. Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance
4. Failure to comply with your sponsor licence duties can result in penalties or sponsor licence revocation, impacting your ability to sponsor future Artistss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Artists

Sponsoring Artists under SOC Code 3411 can be a complex process, but Borderless can simplify it for you. We offer comprehensive support to help you manage the entire sponsorship process.

End-to-End Sponsorship Support

At Borderless, we assist with:

• Sponsor Licence Application: Guiding you through the application process and ensuring all required documents are submitted correctly. 
• Certificate of Sponsorship Assignment: Streamlining the CoS process to make hiring easier. 
• Compliance Management: Helping you stay compliant with immigration laws to avoid penalties.

If you need assistance with hiring or sponsoring Artists, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Artists under SOC Code 3411 can be a rewarding way to enrich the cultural landscape of your organisation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully navigate the sponsorship process while ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws.

For further guidance, Borderless is ready to assist you with all your sponsorship needs. Contact us for expert advice.