FMTW Meeting Minutes 4th February 2022
Chair: Peter McKintosh
Minutes: Josie Underwood
Present: Paul Carey Jones, Alistair Cope, Paule Constable, Peter McKintosh, Josie Underwood, Vicki Mortimer, Jake Orr, Freddie Crossley, Emma Jayne Park, Sunita Hinduja, Kelsie Acton
Apologies: Billi Bankes-Jones, Mimi Doulton
Anti-racism Inc Arts Unlock Commitments (9.40-10.40)
FMTW Inc Arts Commitments
The group who have been working on the Inc Arts Unlock Commitments have now finished the toolkit. The next step is to work out how we implement the commitments, and this feels like it needs the wider group, so we are going to dedicate an hour this week (and half an hour moving forward) to develop our anti-racism policy.
Action points:
- Put 3, 6, 12, 24 month reviews in calendar
- Individual project reporting – create a database for all current & future projects – JU
- Open meeting working group – set up meeting – JU
- List of projects we are doing/will do/have done to share with potential volunteers
Agenda points:
Symposium
JO: Discuss with FMTW members about our FMTW involvement in the symposium. The symposium is being shaped, and we need to go back to them with what FMTW can offer. We mentioned our workshops in march, which could be continued through the symposium. We need to provide suggestions as to what FMTW can provide for the symposium. One of the things is being able to talk about the future of FMTW and what FMTW are going to be doing going forwards? Can we use this as an opportunity to onboard FMTW?
PM: Time sensitive?
JO: The next meeting is on thursday.
AC: To clarify, for next thursday you would like to have the future of FMTW pinned down?
JO: Are there things we want to include in the symposium which will help to elevate what FMTW are doing in the future.
PC: 2am thought constantly is, the position we found ourselves in twas that nothing was happeningand we have stepped into this space, and identified an issue that we have realised is a much bigger problem. The thing we are keep banging up against is that we are being asked to solve the problem for them, but we need to share that we are focusing on one part of the problem. We are all trying to solve the problem while the flawed industry still moves forward. Diagnosis is important.
EJ: dded context; we are going in with ideas of actual sessions that are being curated. E.G we should propose a conceptual session on XXXXX. If we really look at what we want to do in future this might help. Are you outsourcing the problem. Here is what data is and how it works.
PC: A session on ‘freelance friendly activism’ – the struggle of activism whilst freelancing?
FC: It feels like a big question to ask the group what the future of FMTW is, but what feels quite useful to acknowledge is something we have done before that we will continue to do.
EJ: Meeting 9am Wednesday to further discuss.
APPG for Theatre (JU/PC)
PC: Invitation from the APPG for us to attend a session around the realities of freelancing at the moment – Tuesday, 22nd February from 2-4pm.
JU: The focus is on skills gaps and opportunities in the theatre and performing arts sector, and they are keen to have a range of expert speakers join them as part of a panel discussion on the current issues in the industry.
PC: Happy to step into the space and support someone who wants to step into the space. We could support 2 people, or go with someone. Are there specific people we might ask to step into the space?
EJ: £150 not a lot of money for skills gap presentation. What does FMTW want to say about the skills gap?
JU: Will set up a meeting for a group to discuss what needs to go into the room.
Action points:
- Set up meeting to discuss what we would like to say at the APPG meeting – JU
Updates and reports
Big Freelancer Survey
JU: We are very close to having the survey finished and are aiming to launch end of next week/following week.
Open Meeting
PC: Meeting following on from What Next, new concern around cost of living crisis and the effect of this. Motivated by this and the idea of trying to extend and share capacity, the campaign and advocacy groups feel under a lot of pressure so moving forward into t a space where we try and invite similar grassroot groups to see what everyone is doing, how everyone is doing, and to share. Trying to ensure that the devolved nations are proactively involved. Trying to strengthen networks and increase capacity.
Newsletter
PM: NEWSLETTER that goes to buildings and producers (people that employ freelancers) as a monthly update of shared good work, and facts that we think those people should see.
AC: Genesis of the idea is the monthly state of the industry for freelancers, for the people who employ freelancers. Want them to read it, so having a play around different formats.
JO: To ensure thinking is there, how does this tie with fundraising conversations with large venues.
SH: Who will it go to in an organisation? PM: ADs. Open invitation for them to spread the news.
SH: AD and their HODs have a massive gap between them, and as the HODs are the ones who actually employ freelancers. Identifying heads of HR?
PM: The more people it goes to the better.
PC: A lot of companies have heard about FMTW fundraising, this should go to anyone who employs freelancers. Should this go to AC, ITC, SOLT and UK Theatre to share etc? Share the list and add to it.
EJ: Can we share with ADs/EDs and then share later on SM to then expose the communication gap? It is not our job to make sure it is shared among organisations
PM: We would like you to share with your staff.
JU: Next meeting about this is Thurs 9.30-10.30 will share the link!
Action points:
- Share link for the ‘Newsletter to buildings’ meeting next Thursday 10th 9.30-10.30 – JU
AOB
Culture in Crisis
25 researchers working on this document – could we divvy up this document and then feedback?
https://www.culturehive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Culture_in_Crisis.pdf
Action points:
- Divide sections between those who are happy to contribute
- Poll to set a meeting to discuss Culture in Crisis document – JU
ACTION POINTS RECAP
-
- Put 3, 6, 12, 24 month reviews in calendar – JU
- Individual project reporting – create a database for all current & future projects – JU
- Open meeting working group – set up meeting – JU
- List of projects we are doing/will do/have done to share with potential volunteers
- Poll to set up meeting to discuss what we would like to say at the APPG meeting – JU
- Share link for the ‘Newsletter to buildings’ meeting next Thursday 10th 9.30-10.30 – JU
- Divide sections between those who are happy to contribute
- Poll to set a meeting to discuss Culture in Crisis document – JU