“Instead of being asked to work for free, I’d like to be asked to work for money. You know, like you would if you were asking a professional accountant, doctor or plumber for professional advice or services,” The quote is credited to visual and performance artist Lady Kitt.

In a survey of disabled arts professionals, Unlimited found 87% had been asked to do something for nothing.

When will the sector stop exploiting disabled creatives and acknowledge their value?

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork #WeAreCreative #Freelancers #Freelancer #Culture #Arts #ArtsAndCulture

"Without the arts, what are we for? Everyone is happier and more enriched emotionally and intellectually when they have access to creative activity and entertainment. A career in the arts should be for anyone." - Freelance Dramaturg and facilitator Emily LeQuesne

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork

Cultural sector workers are collectively subsidising their own sector by ~£7 billion a year & that's probably an underestimate.

'Cultural sector workers are collectively subsidising their own sector by ~£7 billion a year & that's probably an underestimate.' David Reece - Chief Strategy Officer at Baker Richards | Data-Empowered Strategy for the Cultural Sector explains why... buff.ly/vhqPqEz

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork

There is an exodus of freelance theatre professionals – particularly in areas like stage management and wardrobe. To address this, Actors’ Trust has expanded its support services, as CEO Alison Wyman explains: www.artsprofessional.co.uk/magazine/fea...

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork

“Financial barriers exclude those from historically minoritised communities from accessing roles and progressing in the creative industries.” - Creative Access

The number of people from backgrounds underrepresented in the creative industries that don't apply for jobs because of financial constraints is increasing.

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork #WeAreCreative #Freelancers #Freelancer #Culture #Arts #ArtsAndCulture

The UK dance sector is facing a quiet crisis. While conversations around diversity and inclusion have gained visibility, meaningful investment in high-quality training for Diaspora dance forms remains dangerously thin.

Pawlet Brookes, chief executive and artistic director of Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage in Leicester says that 'The UK dance sector is facing a quiet crisis.'

Read her brilliant piece in The Stage here: www.thestage.co.uk/opinion/dias...

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork #DanceUK

"All future artists, actors, directors, writers are sitting in school right now. Find them. And make sure drama, music and the arts are funded, supported and celebrated in every school in the land." -Russell T Davies, screenwriter.

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork #WeAreCreative #ArtsAndCulture

'If agents want to continue playing a meaningful role in the creative industries, we need to start questioning assumptions that have gone largely unchallenged for decades.' - Agent Mildred Yuan in @TheStage.

www.thestage.co.uk/opinion/agen...

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork #TheArts #UKArts

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork runs on volunteer power, but we still have essential costs-web hosting, Zoom, and part-time freelance coordinators. Every contribution helps us support the freelance theatre community. 💛

Find out how to help: freelancersmaketheatrework.com/supportfmtw/

Want to know about the latest industry news affecting you?

Head to the ‘In the News’ section on the #FreelancersMakeTheatreWork website!

We share daily updates with stories & insights that matter to arts freelancers.

🔗 freelancersmaketheatrework.com/in-the-news/

#Theatre #UKTheatre #UKArts

We advocate hard for our industry but we're not the only ones. Take a look at some of these amazing organisations doing fantastic work for inclusivity, diversity, fair pay and so much more... freelancersmaketheatrework.com/advocating-b...

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork

Downtime helps artists look up and see the path we have chosen. - Stephanie Street (actor, writer and co-founder of Act for Change) in The Stage.

www.thestage.co.uk/opinion/down...

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork #Theatre #UKTheatre #UKArts #SaveTheArts #ArtsAccess

Cultural sector workers are collectively subsidising their own sector by ~£7 billion a year & that's probably an underestimate.

'Cultural sector workers are collectively subsidising their own sector by ~£7 billion a year & that's probably an underestimate.' David Reece - Chief Strategy Officer at Baker Richards | Data-Empowered Strategy for the Cultural Sector explains why... buff.ly/vhqPqEz

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork

Arts Council England and the government have now responded to the Hodge Review. In our latest blog, we break down what has been promised, what still feels uncertain, and what we'll be watching for next.

Read more: freelancersmaketheatrework.com/what-arts-co...

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork

The UK dance sector is facing a quiet crisis. While conversations around diversity and inclusion have gained visibility, meaningful investment in high-quality training for Diaspora dance forms remains dangerously thin.

Pawlet Brookes, chief executive and artistic director of Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage in Leicester says that 'The UK dance sector is facing a quiet crisis.'

Read her brilliant piece in The Stage here: www.thestage.co.uk/opinion/dias...

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork #DanceUK

"In the last ten years, there have been great strides in de-stigmatising mental health problems. But this has not been matched by policy and, still less, by the level of services required to meet the weight of mental health problems in the arts sector. This needs to change and soon." - The quote is credited to David Cutler, Director at the Baring Foundation.

The likelihood of a mental health problem in the sector is three times that of the general population with the most common diagnosed disorders being anxiety (36%) and depression (32%). - Queen's University Belfast

pure.qub.ac.uk/en/activitie...

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork #WeAreCreative

We are facing a quiet erosion of diversity in the arts, writes Nitin Sawhney in @TheStage.

'...artists need safe spaces to provoke and interrogate power.'

Read more here: www.thestage.co.uk/opinion/we-a...

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork

'If agents want to continue playing a meaningful role in the creative industries, we need to start questioning assumptions that have gone largely unchallenged for decades.' - Agent Mildred Yuan in @TheStage.

www.thestage.co.uk/opinion/agen...

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork #TheArts #UKArts

The UK Opera Association (UKOA), are currently designing a dedicated Freelance Membership.

You can fill in their short survey here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

All responses are confidential and will be used solely to shape the UKOA’s freelance strategy.

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork

Working In Europe - Freelancers make theatre work The FMTW Working in Europe Hub where you will find recent news, updates, advice, support, lobbying information and more.

💡 Need EU work advice? Our Working in Europe guide covers visas, taxes, and more.

Visit: freelancersmaketheatrework.com/working-in-europe.

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork

"We are losing artists from poorer backgrounds. So who is telling their stories? Why are we allowing class to stifle artistic expression? Art is not a luxury. Let people in." - Shaparak Khorsandi, Comedian.

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork #WeAreCreative #Freelancers #Freelancer

We've been conducting the Big Freelancer Survey for over 5 years, and something that has become more pronounced it that more and more creatives are having to rely on multiple sources of income due to an inability to earn a living from their art.

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork

Arts Council England and the government have now responded to the Hodge Review. In our latest blog, we break down what has been promised, what still feels uncertain, and what we'll be watching for next.

Read more: freelancersmaketheatrework.com/what-arts-co...

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork

"Art should be seen as as important as English and maths when it comes to education. It might not be everyone’s mode of communication, but for many children and adults it is the only way they can communicate effectively with the world."-Gillian Wearing, freelance artist.

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork

Reformed Arts Council to better ensure the arts are no longer the preserve of the privileged few Government publishes formal response to independent review of Arts Council England

Government publishes formal response to independent review of Arts Council England.

'Reformed Arts Council to better ensure the arts are no longer the preserve of the privileged few.'

www.gov.uk/government/n...

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork

Looking for financial advice tailored specifically for arts freelancers? We've got you covered!

Check out our resource page for guidance, support, and tips designed just for you. 📊💼

Start here: freelancersmaketheatrework.com/financialsup...

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork

Image Description: “We love our work, but the physical and cognitive challenges of the menopause sit uncomfortably alongside the rigid structures, timescales and stresses of the creative industries.”

An open letter calling on the creative industries to make changes to its "rigid structures" to accommodate those navigating the menopause.

Read the full letter here: openletter.earth/open-letter-...

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork #ArtsAndCulture

Image Description: Text card - “We all appreciate the big financial pressures that many councils are under, but cutting away at our cultural life will only deepen our troubles and prolong our economic recovery. If local authorities cannot afford to maintain their vital services, national government needs to step in and support them.” - The quote is credited to Jack Gamble, director of Campaign for the Arts

Industry bodies continue to call on the government to step in and protect local arts funding, warning “treasured theatres” up and down the country are suffering as a result of cuts.

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork #WeAreCreative #Freelancers #Freelancer #Culture #Arts

The UK Opera Association (UKOA), are currently designing a dedicated Freelance Membership.

You can fill in their short survey here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

All responses are confidential and will be used solely to shape the UKOA’s freelance strategy.

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork

‘Nobody comes to the UK for the food, the beach or the scenery. They come for culture: all of it. But especially for the theatre. - Culture is the crown.’ - Laura Brick, Freelance journalist

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork #WeAreCreative