Freelancers Make Theatre Work (FMTW) has secured significant new funding to support the next phase of its development, with a focus on building a more sustainable future for freelancers across the UK performing arts sector.
The investment includes £150,000 over three years from Arts Council England on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, alongside support from major industry donors including Lloyd Webber Theatres, Cameron Mackintosh Ltd, Michael Harrison Productions, Empire Street Productions, Nick Grace Management, Jamie Wilson and Trafalgar Global.
Freelancers were also invited to contribute, with many leading individuals joining as supporters to help secure the continuation of the organisation’s work.
FMTW was established during the pandemic and has since become a key sector body representing the interests of freelancers, who make up around 70% of the performing arts workforce.
The new funding will enable the organisation to move beyond a largely volunteer-led model, supporting a small staff team while expanding its digital and training offer.
The next phase will see FMTW take on a more strategic role, contributing to long-term thinking on freelance workforce issues and working with partners including the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority.
Central to this work will be the development of improved data, building a stronger evidence base to inform decision-making across the sector.
A spokesperson for FMTW said “After six years of dedicated work building FMTW and advocating for freelancers across the performing arts, we are delighted to have secured support for the next phase of our mission. Freelancers are the lifeblood of our sector, yet too often we are overlooked or left out of the conversation. This funding from ACE on behalf of DCMS will benefit freelancers across the country and gives us firmer ground under our feet so we can continue to champion freelancers, strengthen practical support, and keep pushing for a fairer and more sustainable industry.”
Indhu Rubasingham, Director and Co-Chief Executive of the National Theatre, said “FMTW is a crucial and important body for our ecology. An organisation that advocates and supports the largest part of our sector – the freelancers. It also demands and encourages vital dialogue within our whole industry so that we can learn and grow together with the inherent understanding we are nothing without each other.”
Kate Varah, Executive Director and Co-Chief Executive of the National Theatre, said “Freelancers are the driving force behind so much of the creativity, innovation and expertise that define our sector. We are proud to support FMTW as it continues its vital work championing and strengthening the freelance community whose skills and dedication underpin so much of what our industry delivers. What makes FMTW particularly powerful is its ability to bring people together. By creating space for meaningful dialogue, shared learning and collaboration, it helps build stronger connections across the industry, enabling us to tackle common challenges, embrace new opportunities and learn from one another. In doing so, FMTW is helping to shape a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable future for the entire sector.”
Paule Constable added “Our industry is now entirely dependent upon 200,000 freelancers who work across myriad disciplines, with mixed portfolio careers and complex employment patterns. The challenge facing us all is how we work together despite sitting outside traditionally held structures of power. We need to explore and encourage new ways of working as times change. This funding creates exciting possibilities to challenge and learn from each other and make space for freelance voices to be truly heard.”
Michael Harrison said “I’m delighted to support the ongoing work of FMTW. Freelancers are the lifeblood of our industry, and creating a healthy, sustainable environment in which they can thrive benefits us all. Supporting freelancers is an investment in the future strength and success of UK theatre.”
Yasmin Khan said “We are so pleased to provide this support on behalf of DCMS so that FMTW can continue their vital work as an independent, trusted advocacy body for freelancers. Securing the future of FMTW is a brilliant example of the sector coming together to support freelancers, work which we are committed to continuing through the co-design of a new Service for Individuals which will have a new national funding programme at its heart, combined with improved advice giving and access to more training and skills development opportunities.”
Arts Minister Ian Murray said “Our performing arts sector is the envy of the world, and a huge part of that is down to the freelancers who make up 70% of the theatre workforce. Their breadth of talent and skills ranges from carpentry to choreography, casting to costumes, with audiences appreciating their incredible contributions every time the curtain rises. Freelancers Make Theatre Work does vital work to support freelancers with information and guidance. I’m proud that we’re backing their plan to ensure that the people who power our industry can thrive now and long into the future.”
Amanda Parker added “Freelancers Make Theatre Work provides the vital accountability, advocacy and expertise to ensure progress continues. Its value and necessity is unassailable.”
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