Find out more about our online Changemaking Conversations, which took place in July
4 - 7 July | Online
FREE for Opera UK members, £5 per session for non-members. Or become an Individual Member from just £15 or find out about Company Membership for your whole organisation.
Innovation and change is vital to ensure that our sector remains relevant, effectively engages with our communities, and benefits our audiences.
Many individuals and organisations are pushing the boundaries to ensure the continual development of our industry but there is still work to be done.
In these Changemaking Conversations we will hear from some of the individuals leading the way in sustainability, diversifying leadership, and advocating for the arts. These will be participatory sessions with plenty of opportunities to ask questions and join discussion with speakers and other attendees.
Join us and contribute to creating positive change in the opera sector and helping to shape the direction of Opera UK's work.
Read on to find out more about the three online sessions and to register your place.
Advocating for Opera
Monday 4 July 6 - 7.30 PM | Online
What could the positive impact of mapping and advocacy be for you and the wider opera sector?
Working with our members, Opera UK plans to develop a fully-mapped, national picture of the opera industry in all its facets in the UK. But why is this important, and how can it benefit you as an individual or company? In this roundtable discussion we will speak to those from our sector and beyond who have used data to create effective advocacy tools for the arts.
We’ll be joined by:
Mark Pemberton - Chief Executive, Association of British Orchestras
Robin Cantrill-Fenwick - Chief Executive Officer, Baker Richards
Amanda Stevens - Head of Research and Impact, Creative UK
Andrew Hurst - Chief Executive, One Dance UK
Jack Gamble - Director, Public Campaign for the Arts
The session will include a Q&A with guest speakers as well as a chance for discussion with other delegates on the call.
This session is aimed at both opera companies and individuals.
Sustaining Opera
Tuesday 5 July, 6 - 7.30 PM | Online
What steps can we take to practically advance sustainable opera making in the UK?
In our previous session on Green Opera, we discussed a range of starting points for eco-responsible opera making. This session will build upon that learning to discuss how we can take things forward, practically advancing the sustainability of opera making in the UK and of the sector as a whole.
In this session Matt Noddings, the Theatre Green Book’s practical Toolkit lead, will highlight realistic and viable steps that both individuals and companies can take to embed sustainability long-term, and incorporate environmental thinking into all areas of your work.
We’ll also be looking at ways to evidence sustainability and will hear from those in the sector who are demonstrating best practice in this area and who have incorporated innovative solutions to delivering high-quality opera in a sustainable way.
We’ll be joined by:
Matt Noddings – Freelance Production Manager and member of the Theatre Green Book advisory group
Eleanor Burke - Artistic Director, Green Opera
Jan Michaelis - Technical Director, Welsh National Opera
Eric Gautron - Technical Director, and Penelope White - Technical Co-ordinator, Glyndebourne
The session will include a Q&A with guest speakers as well as a chance for discussion with other delegates on the call.
This session is aimed at both opera companies and individuals.
Diversifying Leadership in Opera
Thursday 7 July, 6 - 7:30 PM | Online
How can we diversify opera leadership and our boards, why is it important, and how can I get involved?
This session will look at the importance of diversity in cultural leadership, with a particular emphasis on how we govern our organisations, recognising the challenge our sector faces and the need to improve.
We will demonstrate how different skill sets can be used to help steer positive change, whether you’re looking to diversify your board, or thinking about how you could contribute to one yourself.
We'll speak to a range of people with experience of being on boards or working with them, including as Chair or as a Young Trustee, demystifying what boards need and what you can offer to one.
We’ll be joined by:
Amanda Parker, Director of Public Affairs, The Forward Institute and CEO Emerita for Inc Arts UK
Annilese Miskimmon, Artistic Director, English National Opera
Elizabeth Llewellyn MBE, Soprano and Trustee of Into Opera
Mark Burns, Opera & Stage Director, former Young Trustee for Buxton International Festival
The session will include a Q&A with guest speakers as well as a chance for discussion with other delegates on the call.
This session is aimed at both opera companies and individuals.
Become a member
Changemaking Conversations are free to access for Opera UK members. You can join from just £15.