The Future of Work

Wednesday 1 December

- 6:00–7.45pm for our live audience

- 6.30-7.45pm for our online audience

Live at: Forma HQ, Peveril Garden Studios, 140 Great Dover St, London SE1 4GW

Remote audience on live-stream (link sent after booking)

Join Artquest with writer Louise Buck and guests as they discuss the future of work in the creative industries. This is a hybrid event, and you are welcome to join us in person from 6pm or online from 6.30pm.

In the context of Brexit, COVID-19 and the climate crisis, we ask what working in the creative sector might look like in the next 3 to 5 years. Informed by Artquest’s recently completed AWP Hybrid Internships pilot programme, the panel will discuss how we can shift our working practices to more flexible and inclusive models that promote diversity, equity and inclusion in the arts.

Those taking part in AWP Hybrid Internships receive a role paid above the London Living Wage, a defined job description, induction and orientation, the support from a mentor, 5 days of paid annual leave, a mid-term progress review, an exit interview, and a professional reference.

The Sutton Trust’s 2018 report revealed that 86% of internships in the creative sector are unpaid. It’s increasingly hard for young people who don’t come from relatively wealthy backgrounds and social connections to get a foothold in the creative industries.

The panel will discuss how to increase access and create equity in the arts.

• Chairing the event: Louisa Buck, art critic and correspondent for the Art Newspaper
• Dr Dave O’Brien: co-author of Panic! Social Class, Taste and Inequalities in the Creative Industries, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Creative Diversity's Creative Majority and Culture is Bad for You
• Becky Buckman: AWP Internship alumna, current AWP Hybrid Internship Mentor
• Jai Tyler: Bath Spa University and evaluator of the AWP Hybrid Internships pilot

About Artquest:

Artquest researches visual artists working conditions, barriers and motivations to develop the professional information, advice and support projects that they need. Our projects help artists to build networks, find collaborators, get feedback on their work, develop business models that suit their circumstances, and understand and engage with the art world and the real world. We learn from our work to direct new research and build projects to help artists meet their ambitions.

Staffed by artists working part-time, around 30 active partnerships, and freelance artists and researchers, Artquest is a free resource for professional artists at any stage in their careers who work in any medium, including those who are self-taught.

Artquest is a public programme of UAL funded by Arts Council England as a national portfolio organisation. artquest.org.uk