D&D Satellite: What do we do about migrant underrepresentation in the performing arts?

What do we do about migrant underrepresentation in the performing arts?

Invitation from Maria Aberg, artistic director PROJEKT EUROPA.

As artistic director of PROJEKT EUROPA, it is clear to me that migrant artists face systemic barriers to opportunities within the performing arts sector. Despite our experience, talent and contributions, we are often overlooked or excluded from mainstream platforms, and in our recent survey, more than 70% of artists state that they have personally experienced xenophobia in the industry. Something has to change.

The migrant artist community in the UK is an incredibly diverse group. And we all have different ideas on what needs to change – and how we make it happen. Should we lobby the Arts Council to make first generation migrant a protected characteristic? Should we convince leading NPOs to sign a pledge to migrant representation? Should we do away with the word ‘migrant’ altogether? Should we just keep making work, and trust that things will change over time…?

This Open Space event will provide a unique opportunity to explore these questions, and more – because what makes Open Space different is that it has no predefined agenda, no panel conversations or set topics to explore. This is your space to contribute, share your thoughts, and help shape the conversation. Our D&D Satellite event is an invitation for migrant artists to speak freely on the things that matter most to us, so that we can begin to shape a way forward, collectively.

I am hoping that this event will provide a chance for us to connect, inspire each other, and recharge – but also the possibility to brainstorm practical solutions and actions that will make a real difference to us all as migrant artists. Whether it’s creating new opportunities for collaboration, articulating and addressing biases within institutions, or advocating for better representation in decision-making spaces, our D&D event will be a chance for us to come together and share our experiences – in the hope that we might articulate some actionable steps to make this a more equitable sector for everyone.

Join us on February 23^rd for this first ever D&D Satellite event focused on migrant theatre makers! We promise you a space for honest dialogue, creative problem-solving, and the sharing of experiences and ideas. Together, we can collectively design a path forward that supports the flourishing of migrant artists within the performing arts sector.

This conversation will be facilitated by Improbable, a theatre company who specialise in using a process called Open Space Technology (OST). OST is a simple way for groups of people to think, work and take action together around a shared concern. There is no set agenda and you decide what to discuss. You are free to move between conversations in a single session depending on what interests you. You can read more about Improbable and Open Space here.

The event will take place at Arts Admin, Toynbee Studios, 28 Commercial Street,  London E1 6AB, on Sunday 23rd February from 11:30am to 5:30pm. 

It is completely free to take part, but participants need to register here to join the event

I hope you can join us.

Date: Sunday 23^rd Feb 2025

Time: 11:30 – 5:30pm

Venue: Arts Admin, Toynbee Studios, 28 Commercial Street,  London E1 6AB

Cost: Free but register your attendance

This is a full day event running from 11:30am - 5:30pm.

You do not have to attend the full day, however if you have never experienced Open Space before, it is recommended that you attend the beginning of the day, so you understand how it works.

Tea and coffee will be provided.
Please bring your own or make arrangements for your lunch as the café at the venue will not be open.

Access:

• All of the spaces are fully wheelchair accessible via ramp or lift.
• There are accessible bathrooms on the ground floor by the reception desk and on levels 1 and 3. 
• There is also a quiet/decompression space on level 4

You’ll also find more detailed access information by visiting https://www.artsadmin.co.uk/about/our-policies/accessibility/ 

Please email [email protected] for any accessibility requirements.

Read more about the D&D concept HERE from the award winning, pioneering improvisers, theatre makers and conversation facilitators, IMPROBABLE. 

Read more about PROJEKT EUROPA HERE

(Photo credit: Jeremy Wong)