Live Art Histories and Futures: a major research project into the Live Art sector in the UK

Since August 2019, the consultants have undertaken quantitative and qualitative research to analyse the historical contribution, achievements, leadership and wider cultural influence of Live Art including:

• an extensive online survey that had 255 respondents and a 70% completion rate.
• eight regional focus groups held in partnership with organisations in London, Manchester, Glasgow, Bristol, Folkestone, Newcastle and Birmingham.
• a series of one on one discussions with key regional artists, partners and stakeholders.
• audience engagement activities in the form of public presentations and debates as part of symposia and festivals in Bristol, Manchester and Birmingham.
• scoping of a series of case studies which will involve individuals and organisations, be representative of geographical spread and a diversity of practices, be grounded in considering the creative case, talent development and mainstream impact.

When the pandemic hit the UK in March 2020, the Live Art Sector research team paused its work. In response to the impact of COVID-19 and the work of the Black Lives Matter movement, the Live Art sector (and the cultural sector more generally) has been confronting seismic changes and profound challenges. The research team and LADA felt that it was essential to unpack practical and ethical questions of how to effectively continue this work to ensure that the research and its findings were timely and relevant, and engaged with the new narratives of the cultural landscape of the UK.

With further funding support from Arts Council England, and in dialogue with LADA, the team have devised an approach to the Live Art sector research that gives space to reflect on the events of 2020 so that this research will be of the most benefit to artists and cultural workers, organisations, audiences and stakeholders.

The Live Art Histories and Futures research project will offer a snapshot of the sector up to March 2020 and outline recommendations for the future which the team hope will contribute to shaping the sector as it emerges into a new world amid significant disruption and instability.

The project report will include the findings of extensive quantitative and qualitative research, a series of case studies and an expanded collection of commissioned writings and artists’ responses, and will be published, launched and disseminated in Autumn 2021.