Future Labs

 

A series of solutions-focussed conversations between freelancers and organisations to find ways to support freelancers through the current crisis, employ as many as possible in the reopening of theatres, and include us in shaping the future of our industry.

#FutureLabs

The applications for the third round of Future Labs are now CLOSED.

Read our report from the first series of Future Labs HERE.

Click here for a plain language version of this page

What are the Future Labs?

Chaired by FMTW, each panel will be formed equally of freelance theatre workers and representatives from organisations, as well as guest experts, gathered to search for solutions to issues identified by freelancers.

Through these discussions we will develop practicable models for immediate and sustainable ways to support and engage freelancers. These conversations are an opportunity to share good practice, openly converse and formulate ideas. In the spirit of collaboration, they will be conducted with an emphasis on shared learning and finding solutions.

What are the upcoming topics?

 

  • What provisions and structural changes can organisations put in place to maintain the mental health and physical wellbeing of freelancers?
  • Freelancers from communities underrepresented in the arts are most at risk of having to leave the industry.  What do organisations need to do to ensure this does not happen?
  • How can we give freelancers more of a voice within the power structures of organisations?
A yellow cog on a yellow background

How will it work?

 

Each Lab will be 2 hours long (with breaks) held remotely and chaired by a representative from FMTW.
 
Individuals will be invited to share ideas, provocations and examples of good practice in advance of the session in order to shape the conversation and direct it towards a search for solutions. In order to allow the participants to openly discuss the topic in question each session will be closed but a written report of the discussion will be produced.
 
Having had time for reflection and off-shoot discussions, panellists from across each series of Labs will be collectively invited to a follow up session. This will provide an opportunity to report back from each discussion, to return to the conversations, and for individuals to present their personal ideas, commitments or challenges. 
 
Content from this session will be recorded to share alongside the written reports.
A keyboard, glasses, paper and microscope laid out on a yellow background

When will the next Labs be happening?

Monday 23 November 11am:

What provisions and structural changes can organisations put in place to maintain the mental health and physical wellbeing of freelancers?

Wednesday 25 November 11am:

Freelancers from communities underrepresented in the arts are most at risk of having to leave the industry.  What do organisations need to do to ensure this does not happen?

Friday 27 November 11am:

How can we give freelancers more of a voice within the power structures of organisations?

A follow up session will take place on Thursday 03 December 11.00 – 13.00

Aims

 

The immediate aim of the Labs is to find ways to support freelancers through the current crisis, engage them in the reopening of theatres, and include them in shaping the future of our industry. Each discussion will be conducted in the pursuit of these solutions.

At the end of the series, we hope that we will be able to present these solutions in a way that organisations will be able to put into practice moving forward.

Take Part

Submit yourself for a Future Lab

Full FAQs can be found here

Arts Council White PNG

#FutureLabs

Click here for a plain language version of this page