 With Alison Grade (author of the Freelance Bible), Louise Braithwaite (freelance musician and MU regional vice-chair), Victoria Barker (Coventry University) and David Furmage (Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP)

This episode reviews the challenges faced by freelance creatives during the pandemic - and places the experience of individual musicians and performers in the wider context of regional cultural policy and the varying definitions of work and worker.

Part 1: Setting the Scene

With Prue Huddleston (University of Warwick), David Furmage (Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP), Stacy O'Connor (Coventry & Warwickshire LEP), Sarah Brewster (Fresh Seed)

In the third and final episode, we look at 'small steps' taken in the West Midlands region towards a fairer and more accessible creative economy, including education and mentoring, local business support, lobbying and communicating the value of freelance work to government, clusters, bursaries... above all helping employers and policy makers to understand the sector better and how to engage with freelance creative workers.

Part 3: Moving the dial - towards a more sustainable regional creative economy?

With Lee Barron (TUC), Ian Manborde (Equity), Anthony Ruck (Culture Central) and Heidi Ashton (University of Warwick)

In the second episode speakers consider how trade unions have tried to support 'good work' and challenge some of the problems of access and equality, and how networks, partnerships and collective organisation might offer a way forward.

Part 2: Working Together, Building Back

A live recording of a workshop at Birmingham Rep hosted by University of Warwick 'Productivity and the Futures of Work' - exploring what steps we can take to build back a fairer more sustainable work environment for creative freelancers.

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Artists After Covid

Part 1: Setting the Scene

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3. Part 3: Moving the dial - towards a more sustainable regional creative economy?

2. Part 2: Working Together, Building Back