Open Tech Calendar

THIS EVENT IS CPD CERTIFIED

This timely seminar will consider the future for the live entertainment sector in the UK, including innovation, audiences and supporting grassroots.

Taking place following the launch of the Cultural Cities Enquiry, commissioned by Arts Council England, which will assess current and future resource channels for culture, sessions will examine issues around widening the socio-economic value of live entertainment - including around access, affordability and tourism.

Following the Government’s announcement of plans to strengthen planning policy to include the Agent of Change principle in order to protect grassroots venues, and with the Mayor of London also backing the principle in the Draft New London Plan, delegates will discuss the shape of incoming legislation and consider wider licensing issues.

Delegates will assess priorities for addressing further challenges facing an increasingly complex and competitive sector. This includes access to finance, conditions on the live scene for emerging artists - such as the rise of the pay-to-play model - and the potential implications of Brexit, particularly around touring and accessing new markets, as well as growing concerns over the financial impact of the European Union’s proposals to change lighting regulations.

Planned sessions will explore the increasing opportunities for innovation presented by tech, digital and new, immersive ways of experiencing live, as well as look at the potential impact of new rules around ticketing and what further industry and policy action might be needed to combat ticket-touting.