Why are there not more co-operative creative organisations?

Petra Morris asks why there are not more co-operative performing arts organisations (orchestras, touring theatres, music services) and how we could create more.

I was recently asked why there are not more co-operative performing arts organisations (orchestras, touring theatres, music services) and how we could create more?

The enquiry was prompted after attending the creative co-operative event earlier in the year in London and events held in other regions.  There were plenty of freelancers but not creative organisations.  The option of a co-operative model was raised with the Independent Theatre Council (lead body for performing arts organisations in the UK - 700 members) at their recent conference.  The response was that "it had not occured to them or that there was some concerns about potential bureacracy."

This made me wonder whether this was justified and to consider how we best promote the co-operative option.  To help undertstand what a co-operative is and how to start one we have created a set of resources on the www.uk.coop/creatives website and factsheets.  We have case studies on the creative website including a touring theatre and there are doubtless more? 

We have also recently launched the suite of Simplyseries free guides to assist with setting up a co-operative. 

Co-operatives UK is working with BECTU (the entertainment union) on a two year project “Co-operative Cast & Crew” which is looking at co-operative models of agencies to serve vulnerable freelance members within the entertainment industry.

In terms of funding, the community shares project two year action research project is helping communities around the country to either "save" their local services (pubs, shops etc) or create new facilities such as new football stadia (as per FC United of Manchester) or renewable energy projects.

We have also been investigating co-operative models for local media / newspapers

Many arts organisations, orchestras, music services, theatres, and cinemas tend to be reliant on local council support and grant funding and are under pressure given cuts. Earlier in the year I wrote an article about the future of local libraries in the face of massive cuts and in many ways this also applies to other community services. However, as Ed Mayo, Secretary General for Co-operatives UK points out in his article there are challenges to these services and facilities being run as co-operatives or mutuals See our website www.uk.coop/publicservices

We have a network of support providers across the country who provide advice to anyone wishing to set up a co-operative and we are able to call on their expertise and experience in this area www.uk.coop/cdbs and the Co-operative Enterprise Hub provides support

We are making progress and there is always more to be done!  Look forward to your comments and where the co-operative creative organisations might be.