Freelancer training and development

Research and development in collaboration with Guildhall School of Music & Drama.

Tonic is working with Guildhall School of Music & Drama to explore ways in which affordable, flexible and relevant training and professional development opportunities could be provided for performing arts freelancers. This work is funded by the government’s Regional Innovation Fund. 

The performing arts industry is reliant on the skills, labour and talent of the freelance workforce; freelancers are at the heart of everything we do. In spite of this, relatively little focus is given to ensuring that our freelance workforce is tooled up, resilient, and equipped to be the best it can. 

As well as depleting the productivity and effectiveness of the industry, from a diversity perspective this is problematic. For those groups of freelancers who disproportionately experience precarity in their careers, the lack of structured spaces in which to reflect, learn and develop is particularly impactful.  

Tonic is keen to change this and sees the potential to create a national hub of learning and development opportunities for freelancers working in the performing arts. In early 2024 we are engaging in a period of research and development alongside Guildhall. We will update this page as our work develops.