New survey asks professionals their view on how family-friendly the arts sector is as an employer

From Monday 12th January the Family Arts Campaign, working with the Family and Childcare Trust, is asking workers in the arts to complete the UK’s first national on-line survey focusing on the family-friendliness of the arts sector as employers.

The survey aims to establish the current practice within the sector around parental leave, flexible working, and other issues of importance to family members and those with caring responsibility.  The survey can be completed at www.familyartssurvey.co.uk 

The Campaign is seeking the views of individuals directly employed by arts organisations, offering the opportunity for employees to contribute anonymously on important employment issues within the sector. The survey takes around 10 minutes to complete.

The Campaign has developed the survey with the Family and Childcare Trust (FCT). Both organisations have previously worked together on the Family Arts Standards, a learning tool helping arts organisations deliver a high quality offer to families. In contrast, this survey puts the focus on the organisations themselves and asks the important question: is the arts sector as accommodating to its employees as it is to its audience?  

The Family Arts Campaign is a partnership initiative established by six arts trade associations.  Rachel Tackley, President of UK Theatre, commented: ‘This survey will allow the arts to look objectively at how we are doing as family friendly employers compared to other sectors.  I think we have made great strides in recent years but I am sure there is more we can do, and the results of this survey will make the priorities clear.’

The results of the survey will be published and discussed at the Family Arts Conference on 13 March 2015. The session will involve a panel of individuals from the arts industry who will discuss the issues raised and the next steps for the arts. The survey will close on 13 February 2015.