Between July 2020 and March 2022, THEATRE ARTISTS FUND realised emergency funds for theatre freelancers across the UK in need of critical financial aid, due to the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the theatre sector.
£9.9 million, including £1.9m from Department for Culture, Media and Sport through Arts Council England, was raised to distribute 9,964 emergency grants, towards living costs such as rent, food, and electricity, alongside signposting to mental-health support.
We remain tremendously grateful to everyone who donated their time, creativity, and money for this major and necessary campaign. Thank you.
In July 2021, Sir Sam Mendes announced that a pilot programme, creating employment opportunities, was going into development.
Working in conjunction with Backstage Trust and Theatre Development Trust, we have designed a programme which will help to nurture and develop the creative workforce, in collaboration with performing arts venues across the UK.
Starting in Autumn 2022 and culminating in Spring 2026, the pilot will realise twenty full-time jobs, each running for 2 years, for people working in craft and technical disciplines at emerging and mid-career level. Alongside economic stability, each person will be supported with integrated training, and mentoring from established freelance theatre artists. Through this process, our aim is to identify new ways of working to help people develop their careers, encourage positive change for organisations, and benefit the wider creative industries and our communities.
Jacqueline & Richard Worswick
With additional support from MAMA Exhibition Group and one anonymous donor.
To offer your support for this programme, please contact: theatreartistsfund@soltukt.co.uk