Every one of us is on a journey. Wherever you are on yours, we’ll do our best to help. Our wealth of experience, gained over more than 30 years, makes us a great sounding board and source of information on all aspects of creating live performance.
We’re here to help you make the connections you need and find your professional community.
See how we've helped others navigate the unique challenges of making theatre, dance, outdoor or site-specific performances.
We provide sources of information on all aspects of creating live performance, including funding opportunities and jobs.
We’ll give practical advice, moral support, and help you reach your potential.
Discover articles, case studies and practical guides to support you in your creative work.
Released in October 2026 by Arts Council England, this new guide - written by Creative Freelancers - is a practical resource for Freelancers and the organisations they work with. The guide will be an evolving, collaborative resource to be refreshed periodically with feedback from the freelance community.
A versatile tool for freelance creatives to articulate access needs, aimed at creating supportive work environments rooted in disability justice and intersectionality.
The 5 Guiding Principles - a toolkit to help support the performing arts sector. Nearly half of our workforce are freelancers and the Freelance Taskforce (and Activate) think it imperative that - as the sector still suffers from the knock-on effects of the pandemic - organisations & freelancers collaborate to improve working practices.
The national development agency for creativity and culture.
A free online resource hub for cultural professionals that brings the collective intelligence of the sector together, by you, for you.
Access a variety of practical resources on topics like creating community projects, crowdfunding, setting up arts organisations, fundraising, managing budgets and more, all aimed at supporting cultural and creative development.
Find curated resources for live art and contemporary performance, including funding bodies, venues, networks, and professional development opportunities, designed to support artists and their work.
A toolkit offering best practices for supporting freelance artists, fostering clear communication and mutual care between artists and venues, developed through conversations with underrepresented artists.
A guide for outdoor artists to outline environmentally-friendly needs alongside technical riders, promoting sustainable practices in collaboration with festivals and venues.
Keep up to date with the latest jobs, training, funding and opportunities.
Thousands of people experience the immersive light and sound installation, Wave by Squidsoup, on Westham Bridge in Weymouth.
Maisy Hicks joins the Activate team as Projects Assistant, through the Artswork Breakthrough programme.
A busy summer season of touring for three Activate-supported companies.
All the details from the Activate Takeover at Dorset's We Out Here festival 2026.
Emily Green, from Dorset Youth Dance, took part in a day of workshops for Deaf artists at Tit for Tat…
Our Marketing and Communications Manager shares their experience of the Arts Marketing Association's conference.
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