Survey launched to shape Arts Council England’s 28 May comedy funding advice session

-streamed, comedy-specific event on 28 May. The session is free to anyone who registers and is designed to boost the comedy sector’s understanding of the existing Arts Council grants programme and the application process. Prospective attendees are being advised to read the application guidance in advance.

Organisers emphasise the forum is not intended to debate changes to how the funding body operates or to make points about the comedy sector’s campaign to have the art form recognised. Craft’s survey is intended to help set the direction of the advice session.

Separately, the House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee is continuing to seek evidence on the experiences of women working in comedy, focusing on sexual harassment, pay inequality and the challenges of building a freelance career. Written submissions can be made via the inquiry website by 1 June.

The request for evidence follows earlier sessions in which MPs heard accounts that “creeps and misogynists” are still driving women from comedy, a call from Craft’s Lu Jackson for government licensing of comedy promoters, and testimony that women have felt marginalised, undervalued and harassed on the circuit.

Further updates on the advice session and the committee inquiry are expected as both efforts proceed in parallel: one aimed at demystifying funding for comedy makers, the other examining workplace conditions for women across the circuit.