This virtual coworking session will take a slightly different format, as we’re hijacking it to talk about something important.

The North East Mayoral Strategic Authority is currently consulting on its draft North East Culture, Creative Industries and Sport Strategic Framework, which will help shape future priorities and investment across the region.

As a freelancer-led network, we know that artists and creative freelancers are often underrepresented in strategic conversations, despite being the backbone of the creative ecosystem.

This special 90-minute session will create space to discuss the draft framework, share perspectives on what freelancers need to thrive, and help feed those views into the consultation process. We'll also share NECF's ambitions for sustainable freelancer infrastructure and accessible funding models, and explore what meaningful long-term support for creative freelancers could look like.

Whether you've read the framework or are coming to it for the first time, your lived experience is valuable and welcome.

Creative work cannot continue to rely on passion subsidising broken systems. Join us to help shape a stronger, more sustainable future for creative freelancers in the North East.

About Virtual Coworking

This coworking session is organised by North East Cultural Freelancers as a way of bringing our community closer together. It allows freelancers in the arts, culture and creative sectors to come together and get some work done. It's a way of staying connected to others while working remotely.

These events are free, but donation tickets are available if you would like to contribute. This income will go to Cultural Freelancers CIC, and will go back into serving the community. It will help us to pay for fees associated with this event, or help towards creating future activities and programmes to support freelancers.