Equity in Action: Outdoor Arts UK National Conference 2025
Outdoor Arts UK held their annual national conference in Stoke in February 2025, at the Victoria Hall. The event was kicked off with a social and networking sessions at Smithfield in the City Centre and a drinks reception at B arts base 72 Hartshill Road in Stoke itself. Focussing on equality and access and what that really takes to give people the chance to witness and to make arts and culture, Stoke-on-Trent seemed a logical host, said Sho Shibata, OAUK’s Director.
Kat Hughes, Director of Stoke based Potboiler Theatre and Stoke Creates Exchange Forum Co-ordinator, has shared some personal reflections from the event.
We asked Kat- what were your takeaways?
A Stoke Story; personal reflections on the OAUK National Conference 2025 by Kat Hughes
The National Outdoor Arts Conference was an energising and inspiring gathering, showcasing the power and potential of outdoor arts. Conferences like this are a chance for those already immersed in the work to come together—people who understand the value of outdoor arts, it’s challenges and transformative potential. Events like these provide a valuable opportunity to share best practices, reflect on experiences, and recharge before diving back into the realities of socially engaged arts. But as I sat in the historic Victoria Hall, I found myself asking: what happens next?
As the producer of Stoke’s cultural forum, I’m always reflecting on the individuals who make up our creative ecology: the freelancers, grassroots organisers, institutions, and independent artists who work within a system that is both resilient and precarious. While these conferences offer vital moments to top up on resilience and energy, their true purpose lies in sparking tangible action. What can emerge from conversations on access, equity, and inclusion?
Susan Clarke, Executive Director of Stoke Creates, opened the day with a bold and heartfelt presentation. Her letter to Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport, framed both the systemic challenges facing Stoke and the city’s remarkable creativity and resilience. “It’s not us that’s the problem; it’s the story,” she said, calling for a reframing of how places like this city are perceived.
And what a story Stoke tells. It’s cultural organisations such as B arts, Appetite, Urban Wilderness, Frontline Dance, Potboiler, Greenhouse, and Restoke were firmly in the spotlight. These organisations are not just creating innovative and high-quality work; they are deeply embedded in the communities they serve. They don’t parachute in with pre-packaged solutions—they work alongside local people, creating art with them, not for them.
Susan’s words rang true:
“Artists don’t work outdoors because they can’t get into cultural palaces. They choose to.”
Yet, as inspiring as this work is, it comes with challenges. Community-engaged artists often operate without a clear fiscal framework. Their work slips between the cracks—many aren’t covered by union recommendations on pay, working conditions, or standards. This lack of structural support forces artists to navigate precarious contracts while shouldering the emotional and practical labour of building trust within communities.
Rebecca from B-Arts shared a story that illustrated this vividly. She described a conversation with a mother who was debating whether to spend £10 on travel to a free event. The mother said: “If my kids will really enjoy it, I can do it, but it would mean skipping a meal.” This point vividly moment highlights the invisible barriers many families face and underscores why this work is about much more than just making art—it’s about breaking down barriers to ensure everyone has the opportunity to take part.
Rachael Lines spoke about “slowing down and listening” to rethink who gets to make art in our cities and across the country. Inclusivity isn’t just about inviting people in; it’s about creating systems of care, equity, and outreach to ensure a level playing field. The organisers emphasised that while this work can be difficult, when done right, it drives impact, innovation, and even sustainability.
Stoke’s cultural sector showed today that its work is both deeply rooted and of the highest quality. These aren’t one-off projects; they are part of a sustained, thoughtful approach to embedding art into the fabric of the city. The real question is, who is listening? Are policymakers, funders, and the media ready to provide the support this work deserves?
If they are, they’ll find a city that isn’t just keeping up—it’s leading the way. Stoke’s artists and organisations are showing what’s possible when art is made by people who truly understand and care about the communities they serve. The challenge now is to take the energy and ideas from this conference and turn them into meaningful action.