Spotlight signs PiPA’s new pledge in support of parents and carers in the performing arts.
Parents and Carers in Performing Arts (PiPA) – a charity aiming to create a sector where carers and parents are valued, supported and empowered to thrive – has now launched their new pledge.
Coinciding with their 10th anniversary, the PiPA Pledge outlines five key principles that they, and the 80+ other organisations who have already signed it, are committed to working towards.
Spotlight has signed the pledge, and are committed to celebrating all forms of parenting and caregiving through PiPA’s principles, outlined below:
1. To Recognise
Carers and parents face real barriers to work in the performing arts. We seek to recognise those barriers and to address them with informed action.
2. To Champion
We champion carers and parents who are integral to our creative strength. Through leadership and collaboration, we shape inclusive workplaces that respond to their needs.
3. To Balance
Work-life balance supports wellbeing and powers creativity. We’re building a culture of flexibility grounded in open conversations about how, when and where work happens.
4. To Evolve
We’re putting care into practice. We continue to evolve, staying relevant by developing adaptable, responsive and supportive policies and practices.
5. To Celebrate
We celebrate and showcase the exceptional creativity, skills and experiences that parents and carers bring to the performing arts.
Co-CEO and Creative Director of PiPA, Anna Ehnold-Danailov, said, “We wanted to create an opportunity for performing arts organisations to show their commitment to supporting parents and carers so that parents and carers can identify which organisation is inclusive, but also for them to celebrate the positive ways of working.
“It’s very difficult for anybody, specifically freelancers who’ve got caring responsibilities, to know if it is okay to mention the challenges that they might have, or that they might have to work differently. It is important for an organisation to be proud about the ways that they’re already working to show that they can work in a very inclusive way.”
“If you are an actor and you are a parent or carer, we see you,” says Co-CEO and Executive Director Cassie October Raine. “I have literally been there. Keep going. There are resources out there to support you, and if you go on our website, pipacampaign.org, you can sign up to our newsletter. Watch this space because over the next year, we will have some developments for you.”
Change takes time, but Spotlight’s signing of the pledge commits us to leading with purpose and taking actions to make a lasting difference, amplify our learning and celebrate success.
Spotlight’s Managing Director, Matt Hood, said, “Signing the PiPA Pledge is a vital step in demonstrating our commitment to the industry. The performing arts cannot thrive if we don’t support the parents and carers who are so essential to our industry’s creative lifeblood. This pledge isn’t just about policy – it’s about fostering a culture where flexible working and caring responsibilities are celebrated and understood, not viewed as barriers. We are proud to stand with PiPA to champion this change and ensure that every actor and performer with caring duties feels seen, supported and empowered to succeed.”
To find out more about PiPA and how to get involved, take a look at their website.
