Creative Freelancers: Shaping London’s Recovery

White letters read 'Creative Freelancers: Shaping London's Recovery. facilitation Team. Advisory Group. Partner Organisations.' The background photo shows the shadow of a human going up a step ladder against a white backdrop curtain. The logo of Fuel Theatre appears at the top hand-right corner.

 

We’re delighted to be part of Fuel Theatre ‘s ‘Creative Freelancers: Shaping London’s Recovery’ scheme that will support the powerhouse of our sector: wonderful arts freelancers.

About the programme

Creative freelancers, particularly those in the performing arts, have been hit hard by COVID-19. From the very start of restrictions, up to 60% of freelancers had lost all of their work, and it is estimated that at least 200,000 Londoners have been excluded from any Government support. The pandemic has also highlighted existing inequalities facing creative freelancers – including a lack of security at work, unequal access to freelance opportunities, and a lack of a basic safety net.

This new programme will enable a diverse group of freelancers in the culture sector to come together to explore and make recommendations on the future of freelancing.

Creative Freelancers: Shaping London’s Recovery (CF:SLR) will amplify the voices of the self-employed in the culture sector, giving space for freelancers to shape and demonstrate their role in the recovery of London’s creative and cultural industries, as well as in wider civic spaces.

The programme brings together 50 diverse freelancers from across the performing arts, including performers, directors, writers and designers, with 50 leaders of cultural organisations, funders, councils and other key decision makers.

How will it work?

In collaborate with a cultural partner organisation, each freelancer will receive a fee to complete a six-month research project in targeted working groups, supported by a freelance facilitation team.

It has been enabled by Fuel, and funded by LEAP, the London Economic Action Partnership.

Programme aims

This project will empower creative freelancers in the performing arts sector to make recommendations for London’s recovery from COVID-19 in distinct areas:

  • Improving job conditions, creation and retention for creative freelancers
  • Advocating for an improved statutory position for creative freelancers
  • Establishing skills and training opportunities for creative freelancers

This programme will support the civic role of creative freelancers in London’s recovery from COVID-19, in policymaking and in delivery.

You can find out more here: https://fueltheatre.com/projects/cfslr/