The Artists' Union was established in 1980 and includes six affiliated unions - Film, Theatre, Music, Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. It has 3,000 members and is responsible for defending the rights of artists, improving their knowledge and co-ordinating performances and other arts activities. The Mujahideen confiscated their premises and they lost all their property except one ‘Estonia’ grand piano which needs repairs. In 1982 the Union held a film festival in Kabul and it now hopes to hold this event again. The Union has held various film, music and theatre events over the past year. To become a member, an artist must be over 18, accept the 41 articles of the regulations, pay an annual membership fee and have his and her work assessed by a committee. Current membership includes both government and non-government artists. The Union currently incorporates three provincial branches, which plan to set up offices and buy phones by the spring of 2004.