Freelance Task Force – Open Call

Fuel is part of a sector-wide initiative to set up a Freelance Task Force, as outlined in the Open Letter to Theatre and Performance Makers.

The aim of the Freelance Task Force is to strengthen the influence of the self-employed theatre and performance community. It will create ongoing points of connection between freelancers, organisations, funders, and government and amplify the voice of the self-employed in the conversations to come about how we manage the response to and recovery from the Covid-19 crisis in the performing arts sector.

The Freelance Task Force Member’s Role

We imagine that the Freelance Task Force will quickly establish its own agenda, set its own mission, and organise itself. In sponsoring a freelancer, the signatories hope each member will work together with all other members of the Freelance Task Force to:

• co-ordinate wider conversations with freelancers in their area and/or specialism
• hold and participate in regular Freelance Task Force meetings
• attend meetings and events on behalf of the Freelance Task Force
• lobby on behalf of the wider freelance community
• ensure that information is widely distributed

Considerations (this list has been compiled by freelancers who have worked with Fuel in the past 2-3 years):

• Leadership (listening, communication skills, open-minded, skilled networker, and collaborator. ability to negotiate and strive toward consensus)
• 2 years + experience
• Understanding of the sector (mid-scale touring, commercial and subsidised)
• Active in the sector
• Representation/ diversity (not heard in mainstream culture or politics)
• In financial need
• Strong organisational skills (inc. summing up ideas)
• A good relationship with Fuel
• Experience/ knowledge of workers rights in the arts or other sector
• Caring and nurturing
• The geographical location (someone based outside London and/or particularly affected area/ low arts engagement)
• Committed to anti-discriminatory practice in all areas e.g. gender, sexuality and race
• Audience minded

Selection panel (this list is made up of freelancers Fuel has worked with in the past 2-3 years, who stepped forward for this role following a call out to approximately 220 freelancers):

Rachel Bagshaw, Rachel Bowen, Laura Cubitt, Femi Elufowoju, jr, Guy Hoare, Max Johns, Jack Knowles, Sasha Milavic Davies, Oran O’Neill and Melanie Wilson

Applicants apply via this form. The questions for this form have been compiled by freelancers who have worked with Fuel in the last 2-3 years. The deadline is 13:00 BST Monday 8 June.