We began holding these online discussions events in June because when there was little communication between what Venues were going through and what freelancers were going through. Individuals who often work alone felt further isolated by the circumstances and frustrated at not knowing what venues were thinking or having to consider (and how that would impact them in their careers). One freelancer described the situation as being on a “long haul flight without knowing where you are going or how long you’ll be up in the sky”.
Our aim with these meetings is to improve our shared understanding of where the sector is in that moment.
The first meeting took place on Thursday 18 June (click for notes).
A second event took place on Tuesday 14 July (click for notes).
A third event took place on Wednesday 29 July (click for notes).
A fourth and final event took place on Tuesday 11 August (click for notes).
Following our Venues & Freelancers meetings we decided to hold a Freelancers & Festivals Meeting on 26 August, and a Freelancers & Companies Meeting on 10 September.
This is open to Freelancers who work in Theatre & Dance in Scotland. Places are limited.
We are planning a few more events that involve conversations with venues as well as other Regularly Funded Organisations in Scotland, to ask how they are planning at this time and how freelance workers will fit in to their plans.
There are lots of unknowns and any one of these conversations can only be snapshot of a moment in time in what is a fast-changing context.
We hope that it is useful, and that it allows freelancers to take their destiny in their own hands and plan for the future.
Please email producing@independentartsprojects.com with any queries.