Speakers Announced for Spotlight On Working for Free in the Arts
in partnership with
- Date: Tuesday 15th December 2009
6.30pm - 8.30pm. Plus optional workshops and networking session: 8.30pm – 9.30pm.
- Venue: Contact
Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6JA. Find it.
- Cost: Free to members of PANDA and Redeye / £5 non-members
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Working for the love but not the money? How to get experience without getting exploited.
We are pleased to announce the speakers for Spotlight On Working for Free in the Arts, in partnership with Contact and Redeye.
Paul Herrmann
Director of Redeye, the photography network for the North West.
Paul has been a freelance editorial photographer since the mid 1980s. In the late 1990s he helped start, and now runs, Redeye, the Photography Network, which offers support and advice to all photographers. Paul will raise issues and discuss possible solutions around exploitation of creatives and arts professionals who are encouraged to work for free, the exclusion of people on low incomes, and the devaluation of the work of the individual and the sector as a whole. He will then share details of a checklist that you can use to decide whether it’s of benefit to accept an offer of unpaid work.
Holly Ball
Freelance young people’s theatre facilitator, Creative Breaks placement and Changemakers Young Advocate for PANDA.
Holly will bring a unique perspective to the discussion, having experienced the challenges of getting a foot on the ladder from both sides. As an emerging young people’s theatre facilitator Holly has worked for free on various projects in order to gain valuable experience. She joined PANDA on a voluntary placement in October as part of Creative Breaks, our work placement programme for young and disabled people interested in a career in the performing arts. Through this placement, Holly was successful in applying for a paid position as Changemakers Young Advocate for PANDA. Holly will report on the progress of the Creative Breaks programme and contribute her personal insights into the joys and frustrations of establishing yourself in the arts.
Rose Durbin
Music technology tutor at The Manchester College and board member for National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills (NSA).
Before entering the education sector, Rose worked in the Live Sound Industry for 18 years and toured extensively with many high profile acts. She is now Live Sound Coordinator for The Manchester College and on the board of NSA, a network of creative and cultural organisations, freelancers and industry trade associations working to improve skills in theatre and live music. Rose has a wealth of experience in assisting people to break into a career in live sound, and will advocate the benefits of working your way up through working for no or low pay. She will then explain how you can break the cycle and start getting paid for your work and outline some of the attributes that will help you to make this transition.
David Corden
Actor and Chair of Equity North West of England General Branch.
Equity is a Trade Union representing artists working in theatre, film, TV, radio and other media, including performers, choreographers, stage managers, theatre directors and designers. David is well placed to examine the debate around working for free in the arts, both from his perspective as actor and through his role at Equity, which works to negotiate minimum terms and conditions of employment throughout the world of entertainment. David will discuss when it is appropriate to offer or take on unpaid work, outline the legal responsibilities involved and the paperwork required, as well as updating performing arts practitioners on the latest Equity rates and debates. All before dashing off to the Equity Christmas party up the road!
Plus there’s more…
After the panel event we will be running a couple of workshop sessions which you are welcome to attend. More details about those to be announced soon.
Running alongside the workshops and continuing afterwards for those who have been taking part, we’ll be holding a festive social and networking session in the Contact Lounge bar. Stay and chat with the guest speakers and your friends, colleagues and new contacts from the Spotlight On panel event and workshop sessions and relax over a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie. The PANDA team will be there too to hear your ideas and suggestions for the Spotlight On programme next year.
Book your place
To book a place at Spotlight On Working for Free in the Arts contact Rachel Morton on 0161 274 0626 or email rachel@panda-arts.org.uk.
