Introducing Diverse City…
Diverse City is an award winning, Dorset-based organisation formed in 2005 by Claire Hodgson, MBE. We make shows, develop people and widen training pathways to increase equal representation in the performing arts. We won the Clore Duffield 50th Anniversary prize for our ground breaking integrated circus company ‘ Extraordinary Bodies ‘ and the European Diversity awards in 2015.
Through our work across the South West and nationally we champion inclusion and integration to create cultural and social change.
Our Change Creation Plan
After eleven years of project funding, in April 2018 we will join the National Portfolio of Organisations (NPO) funded by Arts Council England. This significant investment is a game changer for us. Our turnover will triple, the scale and depth of our impact will increase and the level of responsibility for accelerating change in our sector will grow.
Over the next two years, we’re looking forward to working with Change Creation to develop planned strategic ‘Unlikely Alliances’ with key players in the arts will enable us to work together to put diversity into action. Partnerships in development include the National Theatre, Lighthouse Poole and Bristol Old Vic. As a small company we need support to understand and make the most of these relationships both financially and in terms of changing the arts to be more representative.
We want to increase our sustainability by exploring a broad range of potential earned income through franchising, consultancy, training and knowledge sharing, and grow our capacity whilst maintaining our distributed company culture of remote and flexible working, shared leadership and coaching. Essentially we want to grow in stability and resource, whilst holding our values firm.
Claire Hodgson
Claire Hodgson MBE is joint Artistic Director of Diverse City and Extraordinary Bodies, UK’s professional integrated circus company.
A 2012 Clore Fellow, Claire writes for The Guardian online, is former head of Performing Arts at London Metropolitan University, was awarded an MBE in 2016 for services to inclusion and with Jamie Beddard, won Clore Duffield’s 50th Anniversary prize.
You can read Claire’s Change Leadership profile here
Becky Chapman
Becky Chapman is Executive Director with 30 years UK & International experience in theatre, performance education & engagement, working in regional venues, producing companies and touring theatres.
Previously producer at The Theatre Orchard North Somerset, Artistic Associate at Australian Theatre for Young People and Arts Development Producer Accessible Arts Sydney Australia, Becky (BA; PGCE English/Drama) is a graduate of National Fundraising School.
You can read Becky’s Change Leadership profile here
