Speak Up is an initiative led by Irish Theatre Institute and supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. Following the events and revelations in 2017/18 in relation to global abuses of power, the Irish theatre sector came together to begin a much-needed cultural change in behaviour. In time Speak Up became a cross-artform initiative. Please find the key events, interventions and resources outlined below.

SPEAK UP: A CALL FOR CHANGE

On the 21^st October 2021 The SPEAK UP: A CALL FOR CHANGE Report, commissioned by Irish Theatre Institute (ITI) as part of its Arts Sector Speak Up Dignity in the Workplace Initiative, was launched in an online event. A presentation of the key findings was delivered by the research team and an outline of the recommendations by Co-Leads, Siobhán Bourke and Jane Daly. The report was launched by Catherine Martin T.D., Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. The SPEAK UP: A CALL FOR CHANGE Report, researched by Dr. Ciara L. Murphy, Dr. Brenda Donohue, and Conall Ó Duibhir, with support from Dr. Peter Campbell and Olwen Dawe, is an analysis of the findings of Irish Theatre Institute’s 2021 SPEAK UP ACTiON survey of arts workers and their workplace experiences of bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, humiliation, victimisation, assault and sexual assault. 

SPEAK UP ACTiON 

On the 10th February 2021, the Speak Up ACTiON Survey was launched. It was an online survey of arts workers and their workplace experiences. The survey gathered information from artists and arts workers on their lived experience of Dignity in the Workplace issues in the arts, so that Irish arts workspaces and experiences can be improved for everyone. The survey was a cross arts sector initiative recognising that issues exist across a number of artforms.

SPEAK UP & CALL IT OUT: REVIEW 

On the 31st October 2018, ITI hosted an event in Project Arts Centre to discuss outcomes and feedback on the implementation of the Draft Code of Behaviour for Irish Theatre since its launch at the Speak Up & Call It Out event at Liberty Hall. This meeting heard from practitioners and companies who piloted the Code – its effectiveness and implementation, its suitability and value. The Code of Behaviour was formally adopted by the theatre sector at the end of the event.

SPEAK UP & CALL IT OUT 

On the 21st March 2018, ITI hosted an event in Liberty Hall. The event was divided into two parts: Speak Up followed by Call It Out, and was designed for everyone working in the Irish theatre sector including actors, writers, directors, designers, technicians, production and stage managers, independent producers and administrators as well as theatre collectives and the major theatre organisations, venues and performing arts festivals.

As part of ITI’s Speak Up Initiative, we have been running Intimacy Coordination Workshops with renowned facilitator Ita O’Brien. For news on call outs for workshops, please visit the news page.