Consultancy and Training

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the Arts

We offer equity, diversity and inclusion consultancy and training for arts organisations. We use effective tools and strategies to ensure all of your stakeholders belong and thrive.

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We help your creative organisation foster intersectional, sustainable practices toward a more inclusive work environment.

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Meet Shonagh Reid,
Director of Spotlight Inclusion

A Welcome Letter

From Shonagh

Shonagh Reid Director of Spotlight Inclusion smiling

I know first-hand how transformational creative experiences can be for artists and audience members.

I believe that all art forms are an avenue for self-expression. Whether through the theatre, dance or music, the arts offer us an opportunity to challenge the status quo through creativity and engagement. 

Art is a reflection of our culture and society. When we weave in diversity, equity, and inclusivity into the arts, we create a community of representation and belonging for all.

Organisations we have worked with

Logo National Theater London, UK

The National Theatre is one of the UK’s leading, world-class theatre organisations. This renowned London theatre focuses on cultivating connections and striving to be as diverse, inclusive, and sustainable as possible.

Logo UNESCO

UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) is one of the world’s top global agencies that strives for peace between all nations through impactful contributions

Over 200 years old, the Old Vic Theatre in London is a celebrated, historical theatre organisation that continues to adapt to cultural and societal changes with a desire to ensure everyone feels they belong.

Southbank Centre is the UK’s largest arts centre. Set over an 11-acre site (including Royal Festival Hall, Hayward Gallery, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room and National Poetry Library) Southbank Centre presents unbeatable cultural experiences to new audiences, especially those who’ve always felt excluded from the arts.

Theatre Royal Stratford East is a large producing community theatre situated in the London Borough of Newham. Since 1953, the theatre has been the home of the famous Theatre Workshop company. Theatre Royal Stratford East champions talent and creates hard hitting shows to move and excite audiences in order to make theatre accessible for all. 

Lakeside Arts is the University of Nottingham’s public arts programme. Over 200,000 people of all ages and abilities engage annually with Lakeside’s cultural programme – enriching the lives Nottingham and Nottinghamshire communities, including the University’s staff and students.

Texthelp help everyone to understand and be understood. They create technology to help people communicate with accuracy and fluency. They’re unlocking potential across all stages of life.

Royal Shakespeare Company creates world class theatre, made in Stratford-upon-Avon and shared around the world. They perform plays by Shakespeare and his contemporaries, as well as commissioning a wide range of original work from contemporary writers.

Sygnature Discovery is a world-leading integrated drug discovery and non-clinical solutions provider, offering expertise across a broad range of therapeutic areas and biological target classes.

Diversity in the Arts

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Consultancy and Training Packages

 
 
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Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Support

Discuss your DEI efforts and goals with us through our Consultancy Services & Packages. We offer a variety of DEI consultancy options to suit your needs, including (but not limited to) the following:

  • ✓ Individual DEI consultancy sessions with leaders to talk about your organisation and identify quick, implementable solutions

  • ✓ Discussing and creating a full diversity and inclusion strategic plan

  • ✓ Support and training for your diversity and inclusion lead

  • ✓ Quality assurance of your existing DEI systems and strategies

  • ✓ Facilitation of stakeholder feedback, working groups, and networks

  • ✓ Continuous professional development & coaching for protected groups to support representation at leadership level in your organisation

  • ✓ Bespoke packages

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Diversity Training

Our Packages are ideal for organisations that wish to stay up-to-date with current changes and methods surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion. Trainings will be customised for your organisation to ensure we meet your needs and long-term goals.

Examples of training programmes include:

  • ✓ Introduction to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

  • ✓ How to create an inclusive environment

  • ✓ Inclusive recruitment and retention in the workplace

  • ✓ Antiracism and racial literacy

  • ✓ The cumulative impact of discrimination

  • ✓ Diversifying the curriculum in education

  • ✓ Creating a diverse workforce

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Explore the blog

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Why self-reflection is an important part of equity, diversity and inclusion work
Why self-reflection is an important part of equity, diversity and inclusion work

As we move through the journey that equity, diversity and inclusion work is on, the importance of self-reflection has always been important, but is probably growing in importance.  

Personal accountability and responsibility for our own knowledge, and understanding of the experiences of people who do not share our identities, is vital.  

Read More →
3 Reasons Why Discussions and Workshops are Better than Training 
3 Reasons Why Discussions and Workshops are Better than Training 

We support organisations in a range of ways, and one thing that has emerged over the last 18 months is the lack of results that training provides for our clients. Learning about equity, diversity and inclusion topics which are positioned as ‘training’ are becoming less and less effective. Find out why.

Read More →
What will be the EDI focuses of 2024? 
What will be the EDI focuses of 2024? 

As we move into 2024, it is a good time for us to reflect on our EDI achievements and look ahead to what we think might be on the horizon for 2024.

We always tell our clients that EDI work is anticipatory. We need to be looking ahead, anticipating difference, and creating inclusive strategies for all. We can use the work and challenges of last year to inform what we think might be the challenges for the future.

So, we are sharing with you a few of the trends we think are going to feature for this year and beyond.

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Why your EDI training isn’t working
EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, DIVERSITY TRAINING
Why your EDI training isn’t working
EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, DIVERSITY TRAINING

Next to salaries, training is most often the next biggest spend when it comes to EDI work. When we are spending tens of thousands of pounds on training we might be forgiven for expecting the learning to result in change but there are some fundamental reasons why this doesn’t follow.

Read More →
EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, DIVERSITY TRAINING

Client Testimonials

 
 
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Theatre Royal Stratford East
Eleanor Lang
Theatre Royal Stratford East

We worked with Shonagh to develop a microaggression policy and microaggression training for all our staff. Staff found the development process incredibly supportive, and the training sessions really informative and helpful.

The policy developed will provide a really strong support for all our staff.

Theatre Royal Stratford East
Tees Valley Music Service
Susan Robertson
Tees Valley Music Service

Shonagh led a very engaging training session and she was easy to talk to. She is also a good listener and coach and was able to pick up and expand upon important points and issues when they were discussed.

Tees Valley Music Service
GDST
Claire Bale
GDST

Shonagh’s commitment to understanding exactly what we needed, coupled with her expertise in delivering practical advice, meant that we left the session feeling empowered. Shonagh enabled us to identify how we can make a positive difference in our community. She inspired us to work smarter, to play to our strengths and to maintain our commitment to the important work of Diversity and Inclusion.

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Contact us today!

Learn more about Spotlight Inclusion’s consultancy and training packages. Book your discovery call today.

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