As we face an unprecedented time, including the closure of performing arts venues, the need to protect the industry and support the physical and mental wellbeing of our invaluable workforce is greater than ever.
Parents and Carers in Performing Arts are being disproportionately affected by the pandemic, with school closures, heightened caring responsibilities and their increased likelihood to be self-employed having an extreme impact on financial and mental wellbeing.
PiPA has created a series of dedicated resources, alongside a compilation of industry guidance, external support and family friendly resources for Performing Arts professionals in response to the ever-changing circumstances.
Please be aware that guidance and government advice is constantly being updated. The NHS provide public information about the virus and the latest advice on how to protect yourself. You can also read more about the government's response to the ongoing crisis, including eligibility for statutory support here.
External Support for Performing Arts Professionals:
- Actors' Children's Trust: Financial support for actors who are parents.
- Actors' Benevolent Fund: Support for actors and stage managers due to illness, injury or old age.
- Artsadmin: Offering a unique and free one-to-one advice service to UK-based artists working in contemporary performance, at any stage of their career, now digitally/ by phone.
- Arts Council England: Emergency financial support for artists, creative practitioners and freelancers.
- Artsmind: Supporting performers and creative practitioners in need.
- Dance Professionals Fund: Financial support for dance professionals during hardship.
- Directors Charitable Foundation: Welfare Fund for directors in severe financial difficulties.
- UK Government advice:
Self-employed income support scheme
Guidance for unpaid carers - Help Musicians: An independent UK charity for professional musicians of all genres.
- Incorporated Society of Musicians: The UK's professional body for musicians.
- Mental Health Foundation: Guidance on looking after your mental health during the outbreak.
- Stage Management Association: Buddy scheme to connect isolated theatre workers
- The Royal Theatrical Fund: Support for people of all ages who have worked in the entertainment industry and are in need as a result of illness, accident or old age.
- Theatre helpline: UK Theatre and Society of London Theatre (SOLT) Theatre Helpline is a free 24-hour phone and email service supporting theatre professionals with any issue affecting their health and wellbeing. It is open to anyone working in theatre, whether in-house or freelance. Call 0800 915 4617 or email advice@theatrehelpline.org
- Theatre Support: Centralised information from leading theatrical charities with information about accessing support.
Further Industry Guidance:
- Equity Coronavirus briefing: financial support.
- Bectu Advice for Members.
- Musicians Union Latest news and advice for members.
- SOLT Updates and guidance for members.
- UK Theatre Coronavirus information from UK Theatre News.
- Government Guidance Covid-19 Support for businesses.
- Furloughed workers to receive full parental leave entitlement
- Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - National Cyber Security Centre Make sure your organisation is prepared for an increase in home working, and advice on spotting coronavirus (COVID-19) scam emails.
- Arts Council England: Emergency measures and funding
- Arts Council Wales: Information and funding support
Scotland:
- Creative Scotland coronavirus updates, information and support
- Scottish Government Coronavirus help page
- Scottish Government Coronavirus advice for unpaid carers
- SCVO Third Sector Resilience Fund
- Independent Arts Projects: advice and support for Arts workers
- PiPA Scotland dedicated Facebook page for performing arts practitioners and organisations in Scotland
- Carers UK Advice for Carers in Scotland
Family Friendly Resources:
- Work+Family remote working webinar
- Working Families Coronavirus FAQ's
- Gingerbread Coronavirus advice for single parents
- Pregnant Then Screwed Covid-19 helpline for pregnant women and parents
- What's Going On? English Touring Theatre have created a short video for kids (and adults!) featuring Stephen Mangan and Daisy Haggard explaining simply why we have to stay inside
- Carers UK Coronavirus help and advice for carers