Freelancers - UK Theatre

Home > Theatre Industry > Guidance, Reports and Resources > Freelancers

Freelancers

This page signposts to a variety of organisations, initiatives and resources created to support freelancers. There is also a section on recent research and data concerning freelancers in the creative industries.

We welcome feedback and additional contributions. Please email ukt@soltukt.co.uk

BECTU for freelancers: BECTU is a union representing workers in a wide variety of roles across the media and entertainment (excluding actors and musicians). BECTU's freelance branches bring together members who work on a freelance basis according to their craft or geographic location
Create Britain: Helps promote the work of individuals across the creative industries
Creative UK - Redesigning Freelancing: Shaped by their members, partners and Freelance Champions, Redesigning Freelancing is a UK-wide initiative which will empower organisations and freelancers working across the creative economy to tackle inequalities and create a more sustainable future
Cultural Freelancers Wales: A diverse collective of cultural freelancers in Wales, strengthening the freelance voice and offering inclusive support to fellow freelancers
FreelanceUK: An online community providing information and news for freelancers. Their website features an interactive freelancer forum, a jobs board and a freelance directory
Freelancer Club: An online community for creative freelancers with over 50,000 members. Their website features a wealth of resources, training, and a jobs board for members
Freelancers Make Theatre Work: A network of self-employed and freelance workers from all areas of theatre, opera and live performance. The volunteer-led organisation campaigns to raise awareness of the vital role of freelancers in the theatre industry, provides a platform to collect the opinions and concerns of the freelance theatre workforce, offers a central resource of information for the freelance workforce and shares information and projects
IPSE: The UK's membership body for the self-employed. IPSE provides tax, contract and legal helplines for members, a pension scheme, and a variety of training and events
Stage Sight: Run regular events for their freelance members. Green Room sessions are free online drop in spaces to connect, discuss and explore a variety of topics, and Professional Conversations give Stage Sight Organisation Members the opportunity to introduce themselves and their work to Individual Members, providing a space to discuss the organisation’s initiatives and projects alongside wider industry related topics

For Freelancers

Creative Scotland - The Illustrated Freelancers Guide: A practical PDF resource for creative freelancers working in Scotland, created to help freelancers to understand their rights and best practices in avoiding and addressing difficult situations.
Freelancer Wellbeing Hub: A library of wellbeing resources to support freelancers, compiled by the Film + TV Charity
IPSE Webinars: An extensive catalogue of webinars available live and on demand for IPSE members only. Topics covered include tax, IR35, late payment, starting out and winning work

For Organisations

10 ways you can help creative freelancers: An Arts Professional article exploring what organisations can do to help freelancers throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond
Creative & Cultural Skills - Working with the Self Employed: A Best Practice Guide for Businesses: A PDF guide for employers
Mental Health & Wellbeing, Supporting Freelancers in the workplace: This guidance note is intended for use for businesses and organisations that employ freelance or temporary staff

Research & Data

Arts Council Northern Ireland - Freelance Practitioner Research Report (March 2021): This report explores the needs of Northern Irish freelance artists seeking to develop, create and produce small to mid-scale work on an independent basis. Conducted by Annabel Jackson Associates
Creative Industries Policy & Evidence Centre- Freelancers in the Creative Industries (May 2021): Insights for policy makers to better understand freelancers in the creative industries
Creative Industries Federation - Creative Freelancers (July 2017): This report looks at the working life, opportunities and policy concerns of the whole creative freelance workforce
SOLT & UK Theatre and Nordicity - Theatre Workforce Review (June 2017): A significant research project into the makeup of the theatre and performing arts workforce and its current and future training needs, working with Alistair Smith of The Stage
The Big Freelancer Report (March 2021): This research project maps the problems facing the theatre and performing arts freelance workforce following the Covid-19 pandemic and makes practical recommendations for change. Created by an independent group of performing arts freelancers, supported by Freelancers Make Theatre Work and funded by Arts Council England.
Wales Freelance Survey 2020: Rebalancing and Reimagining (October 2020): A study into the impact of Covid-19 on freelancers in Wales. Conducted by the Wales Freelance Taskforce (now Cultural Freelancers Wales)

this needs content in to work - this will be hidden in the css

Become a member

Get in touch

32 Rose Street
Covent Garden
London
WC2E 9ET

enquiries@soltukt.co.uk

+44 (0)20 7557 6700

"UK Theatre" is the operating name of UK Theatre Association, a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales, whose registered office is at 32 Rose Street, London, WC2E 9ET, Company No 323204.