Spanish art galleries stage week-long closure to protest high VAT on artworks

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - More than 200 art galleries across Spain closed their doors on Monday in a week-long protest over what organizers describe as government inaction on reducing the value-added tax on art sales.

The strike, organized by the Consortium of Spanish Contemporary Art Galleries, runs through Feb. 7. The group said Spain continues to apply a 21% VAT on artworks, despite EU rules allowing reduced cultural rates of between 5%-8%.

In a statement addressed to visitors, the consortium said the shutdown responds to the "paralysis and lack of response from the government" to demands for a lower tax, adding that galleries are suspending "an activity that we defend as essential for society: free and constant access to artistic creation."

The statement added that for one week, all galleries in Spain will stop serving as “free cultural spaces open to everyone” as a form of protest.

The art galleries are expected to reopen on Feb. 9.