Open Space Conference addressing how the arts can positively address the coming funding cuts.

Artists Anonymous, the networking organisation for emerging theatre practitioners, in association with the Performance Initiative Network, Finger in the Pie, Room for Pudding Theatre, RedGate Marketing and Middlesex University, are organising a conference to discuss new and creative solutions to the issues facing small-scale performing arts companies in light of the recent cuts in the Arts Council's funding.

Rather than grumble about the decline in funding we think it's time to discover a new model of organisation that does not rely on government subsidy to survive. Therefore the conference aims to find practical approaches, methods and structures for emerging performing artists and organisations to help themselves and the wider community to become more self sufficient, with greater independence.

This conference needs YOU! An Open Space Conference is all about your participation - and not a slide show or PowerPoint presentation in sight! Open Space is a way of creating a self-organising group which can use its collective skills and imagination to deal with complex issues in an incredibly short space of time. Together we will set an agenda of issues to address, before splitting into smaller discussion groups to tackle each of them head on.

By the end of the conference the following will have occurred:

• Every issue of concern to all participants will have been raised.
• All issues will be discussed fully by any interested participants.
• Every participant will have played an active part in finding new solutions.
• A full report of all the issues and discussions and conclusions will be made available to all.

SELF HELP will take place at Middlesex University - An impressive campus set in a picturesque country park. So, to reserve your place at the conference please send an email to self-help@artists-anonymous.org stating the names of the people who would like to attend and the capacity in which they are involved in the performing arts (e.g. company manager, director, producer etc). There is a £5 registration fee per person – we'll send you payment details once you have registered. Places will be reserved on a first come first served basis.

If you don't want to wait for the conference you can start taking part in the discussions right now on the Artists Anonymous message boards www.artists-anonymous.org

Finding practical solutions to funding dependency.

Saturday July 7th
9:30 - 18:30
£5 Registration Fee

Middlesex University
Trent Park Campus
Bramley Road,
London, N14 4YZ

A free mini-bus service runs from Oakwood Station to the Trent Park Campus. Alternatively the campus is a ten minute walk down Snakes Lane. Parking is available on campus.

Piccadilly Line - Oakwood