Author: Taking Flight Theatre
Application deadline: Midday – Sunday 16th Feb 2025
What is Breaking the Box?
We need more Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent creatives bringing their talents and skills into theatre in Wales. Not just on stage, but backstage, across producing and arts management too. To make this happen we need an informed and aware theatre and arts sector, with its working cultures and environments ready to support everyone to do their best work.
Breaking the Box (BTB) is a connected and committed consortium of partners. Together we are testing and learning new ways of working together. Through this, we model how to create opportunities and the changes needed to make the arts a more viable place of work for everyone. The project partners are a collective including Taking Flight Theatre (as lead partner), Hynt (Wales’ national access scheme) and Disability Arts Cymru (advisory partner) Awen Cultural Trust, RCT Theatres, Carmarthenshire Theatres and Pontio. Together they are committed to running the project collaboratively to test and learn new ways of making and modelling the change that’s needed to make the arts a welcoming and viable place of work for everyone.
In its initial phase, BTB placed strong emphasis on fostering a culture of inclusivity and embracing accessibility as a core value. It also sought to address the disproportionate representation of Deaf and disabled backstage creatives in the sector, through career development opportunities. We worked with 6 Early Career Creatives (ECCs), to explore the different backstage skills and disciplines open to them. So far, the project has seen enhanced levels of awareness, improved accessibility and stronger relationships fostered with Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent creatives and communities.
The next 12 months will see phase 2 of Breaking the Box rolled out and we are now looking for two Deaf/disabled or Neurodivergent change makers ‘Provocateurs’ to join us on the journey, to amplify access across all departments within their matched venue and to give access issues a place at the table and to provoke and challenge usual ways of working.
The Provocateurs will play a key and pioneering role in challenging and reshaping accessibility practices within arts and cultural venues. This role focuses on embedding inclusive approaches, amplifying accessibility across all departments, and creating opportunities for Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent creatives.
The successful provocateurs will be matched with one of our partner venues depending on the location, experience and area of expertise/career interest of that individual. We are keen for this to have a positive impact on someone’s career development and aspirations and are committed to being as flexible as possible to eradicate any barrier to access.
What is the purpose of the Venue Provocateur?
The Venue Provocateurs will be based at partner venues as part of the Breaking the Box programme. Their mission includes running creative community sessions and workshops, engaging Deaf and disabled audiences, advising on access and inclusion in departmental meetings, and sourcing opportunities for Early Career Creatives (ECC). Provocateurs will support ECCs, report to the Project Coordinator, and attend regular network meetings. They will also advocate for Taking Flight’s mission, amplify inclusion and access efforts across partner venues, and engage with the Breaking the Box communications strategy.
Who we think you might be
This is an exciting role for someone with a passion for inclusivity and making impactful changes within arts and cultural venues. You are driven by a commitment to accessibility, connecting with Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent creatives, and fostering an environment where everyone can thrive. You relish the opportunity to challenge traditional working methods and embed inclusive approaches across all departments.
Recruitment timeline:
Application deadline: Midday – Sunday 16th Feb 2025
Interviews: w/c 17th Feb2025 & 24th February 2025
Appointments: w/c 24th February 2025
Start date: Tues 1st April 2025
How to apply:
We have tried to make applying as straightforward as possible. Simply let us know who you are, how we can contact you, answer THREE questions and upload a CV and referee details.
We welcome applicants to submit using BSL, Welsh or English.
The application process is an online form which you are required to complete and submit by the deadline. Within the form, you will be given the option to type your answers in the boxes, or you can upload your answers in video/audio format. Please have your CV and referee details ready too.
Please complete this online APPLICATION FORM and separate EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FORM by Midday Sunday 16th February 2025.