What does access for parents in the creative industries look like?

(notes from Open Space, 25 March 2023)

The revolution cannot happen without childcare.

“Mothers”

As a gender expansive term

As an ‘access’ term

More than a practical issue. Self esteem.

Lack of financial security as artists in freelance work.

Take Me Somewhere - had a bursary for childcare not taken up.

Shifting a paradigm- barriers to accessing programme. Saturday daytime shows- cultural shifts.

Options for childcare.

Having spaces that feel creative and open during the day- accessible.

Childcare in work settings -Eg. Tramway. Funding and bu

Labour for advocating for childcare is on the parent, comes at cost of institutions’ interest in your art.

Compounded by psychological process of becoming apparent- amount of capacity shrinks.

Accountability in this industry for exclusion based on childcare responsibilities.

Creative Scotland radical care project – eg. Work Room. conversations feel siloed, need to be joined up.

Does childcare come under diversity and inclusion?

Can be written into access in funding applications.

Discrepancy between artist-led venues and Creative Scotland in terms of childcare as access requirement.

Trigger warnings-messages from adults to adults. Family Day at Tramway - what can you take kids to? Do you need just an outline eg. darkness. How do we allow art to be full and including of young audiences, even if it's not made specifically for that audience. For example relaxed performance- what could this be?

Matricient - Film played on loop. Bean bags and play park. Commissioning work that has access ability for parents/ care is built into it.

Access rider but for freelancer parents. Childrens organisations could advise on what is needed.

Working hours – “smart week”. Finishing at 3:00 PM for example.

Inclusion is different for different people. Eg. If your child is neurodivergent. One size does not fit all. What can we do to allow more flexibility for different adaptable access needs.

Deadlines. Our industry has such tight deadlines, which can be really hard to navigate with parenting. Taking things slower and allowing other blueprints for access to influence parenting in the arts.

PiPA.

Open Access quality childcare AND support workers for children?

Trust parents to know what's best for them and their kids.

Ask questions about integrated access. How accessible is this for people who have children, for audiences, and practitioners.

How do you make your space accessible and welcoming? What is the context of your space? Convivial spaces.

What are the intangible containers we're building around the space? Eg. Re framing access, content notes for kids (blurb about the show eg. actual themes also heightened moments, eg. noise, ‘ominous’ moments. AND is it OK to walk out? All provided by creative team.

We need inclusion/ access riders for parents.

more imaginative and expansive ideas around childcare and care is access.

Other industries offer benefits such as childcare.

Changing the language we use to discuss parenthood. Freedom to take kids to show.

I am developing some research and a collective conversation around best practise for supporting parent-artists (and mother-artists). if you would like to find out more, e-mail r.liveseywright@gmail.com