Hold the Door Open
Every time we're asked to speak as Tyne & Wear Cultural Freelancers, we include short videos, provocations or opinions from people in the North East cultural sector so that more voices are heard and broader opinions are shared.
We do this with the hope that a wider range of people are asked to speak at events, meetings and conferences.
We do this to support a wider representation, to do away with the “usual suspects” and make space for different voices and experiences.
Who gets to speak?
Hold the Door Open is inspired by Lauren Currie’s UPFRONT couch initiative. The UPFRONT couch invites people with stage fright to greet the audience from a safe, comfortable space. The UPFRONT initiative has brought over 500 people up on stage. They’re now 30% more likley to speak at an event than those who don’t sit on the couch.
Hold the Door Open is a response to the lack of diversity in the cultural sector when it comes to who gets to speak, who gets to be heard and who is put on stage.
Each time we’re asked to speak, we include others; whether that’s underrepresented voices or those who are taking their first steps in public speaking.
Everyone we ask is paid for their time. We actively seek recommendations - and yes, you can put yourself forward.
Hold the Door Open can be a way of diversifying the voices in our sector, to give a platform to anyone who wants it.
We encourage you to hold the door open too. #HoldtheDoorOpen