Interview with Rose Theatre’s Robert O’Dowd

Spotlight on Diversity

Drastic times call for drastic changes. Robert O’Dowd Chief Executive of the Rose Theatre highlights four actions needed for inclusivity in the arts

Even though the past few months have been very challenging for us, as with all theatres, with the support of our amazing patrons and The Royal Borough of Kingston we have plotted a route to weather the COVID storm and come back when we are allowed to open better, stronger and more inclusive. Our new Artistic Director is fully committed to make the Rose a theatre for all.

The arts are in a perilous state. Their entire model is based on high numbers of customers paying to see work produced. COVID 19 has brought an abrupt halt to the majority of the income streams the arts generate. As the arts industry looks at ways to weather this huge storm it also has to think of a new and better way of becoming more inclusive. For too long the arts have pursued a small but hugely important demographic but in order to grow and survive post the pandemic the arts need to secure new audiences whilst retaining its current ones. The arts need to change. Here are four actions that the arts could instigate as they reawaken from lockdown 1. Introduce regular mandatory training in places of work on racial equality, micro-aggressions and cultural differences to ensure a safer environment and to inspire people to talk about it from the start of getting back to work 2. Use the rescue package funding to encourage organisations to move to a minimum of 15% ethnic diversity in their operations and activity. 3. Prioritise the retention of existing diverse staff, and the employment of diverse freelancers in the arts workforce.

The diversity gains made in the arts in recent years have been largely down to new entrants to the sector. If we lose diversity in the workforce now, we lose our future

talent pipeline. If we lose ethnically diverse staff and freelancers who are not new to the sector, we will create a skills deficit that will take years to rebuild.

The UK’s population is increasingly diverse: lose ethnicity and we consign our industry to history.

4. Build diversity across all areas of arts businesses: for cultural organisations to allocate a percentage of each budget line to an active diversity intervention, including all areas of business practice, management and governance.

From the artists we engage with, to the contractors we work with, even if organisations are small, then prioritise engagement with ethnically diverse freelancers. Conscious procurement is within our gift. n